2 weeks ago
Ian Chappell Slams Australian Selectors After Bangladesh Test Loss
Cricket is a game where two teams take turns batting and bowling, and the team with the most runs wins.
Australia is usually a very good cricket team, but they recently lost badly to a team called Bangladesh.
An old and famous Australian cricket player named Ian Chappell was not happy about the loss.
Chappell thinks the people who choose the players, called selectors, picked the wrong team.
He believes some players should be swapped for different ones.
For example, he thinks a player named Marnus Labuschagne, who has not scored many runs lately, should be replaced.
He also thinks a young player named Sam Konstas should get another chance to play.
The selectors did change one player, putting Matt Renshaw in the team.
Australia will play another match against Bangladesh soon, and they will try not to lose again.
Ian Chappell slammed Australian selectors for "poor calls" after Australia's nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Darwin.
Chappell called for Marnus Labuschagne to be dropped, Steve Smith moved to No. 3, and Sam Konstas recalled to open with Matt Renshaw.
Jake Weatherald was dropped from the squad for the second Test and replaced by fellow left-hander Matt Renshaw.
Selectors retained Labuschagne despite his 32 runs in Darwin; head coach Andrew McDonald said he needs "big runs" to keep his place.
Chappell criticised Beau Webster batting at No. 7 despite 14 first-class centuries and declared Nathan McSweeney "not a Test player."
- Who
- Legendary cricketer Ian Chappell criticised the Australian selectors and players including Marnus Labuschagne, Beau Webster and Nathan McSweeney.
- What
- Australia suffered a nine-wicket Test defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin, prompting Ian Chappell to demand significant changes to the Test squad.
- Where
- First Test in Darwin; second Test at Mackay.
- When
- After the first Test, ahead of the second Test at Mackay starting August 22.
- Why
- Chappell believes poor selection decisions caused the loss and is not convinced the selectors can fix the problem.
Chappell's View
Selectors' View
Marnus Labuschagne's place in the team
Chappell's View
Labuschagne should be dropped after averaging 25.23 since his last Test century, with selectors making "poor calls."
Selectors' View
Selectors retained Labuschagne for the second Test, with Andrew McDonald saying he needs "big runs" to shore up his place.
Readiness of young batsmen
Chappell's View
Campbell Kellaway and Oliver Peake have talent but are not ready for Tests, with Shield averages in the 20s not enough to earn selection.
Selectors' View
There is hype around Victoria's rising stars Kellaway and Peake as potential additions to the Australian side.
Batting order and selections
Chappell's View
Beau Webster should not bat at No. 7 despite 14 first-class centuries, and Sam Konstas should be recalled to the top of the order.
Selectors' View
Selectors chose Webster at No. 7 and responded to poor form by dropping Jake Weatherald and bringing in Matt Renshaw.
Key facts
- First Test result
- Bangladesh won by nine wickets
- First Test venue
- Darwin
- Second Test venue
- Mackay
- Second Test start date
- August 22
- Marnus Labuschagne's runs in Darwin
- 32
- Labuschagne's Test average since 2023 Ashes century
- 25.23
- Beau Webster first-class centuries
- 14
- Ian Chappell's Test record
- 75 Tests, 5,345 runs
Quotes
Ian Chappell
Former Australian cricketer and commentator
“He is there to make centuries, and you are batting him at seven. What is that? That is bulls**t.”
rediff.com
“With their selections, they have shown to me that they do not understand things very well.”
rediff.com











