Ian Chappell Retires After 50 Years of Writing
With a career spanning over five decades, Ian Chappell's retirement marks the end of an era in cricket journalism, leaving behind a wealth of knowledge and memorable stories that will continue to inspire and entertain cricket fans around the world.
Ian Chappell, a former Australian cricket captain, has concluded his five-decade-long writing career, with his last column for ESPNcricinfo published on February 23, 2025, marking the end of an era in cricket journalism.
Chappell's writing career spanned over 50 years, during which he transitioned from writing in long-hand to typing, and credited Pulitzer-winning writer "Red" Smith for teaching him the importance of using descriptive words. Throughout his career, Chappell had the opportunity to interact with numerous cricket legends, including Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne, and shared memorable anecdotes about these encounters.
In addition to his column writing, Chappell also wrote books, including his last book "Chappelli: Life, Larrikins and Cricket", which allowed him to explore the world of short story writing. Chappell expressed his gratitude to his editors, including Clayton Murzello and Sambit Bal, for giving him the freedom to write and for their encouragement throughout his career.
As Chappell closes the writing section of his computer, he wishes his colleagues and friends well in their future endeavors, leaving behind a legacy of insightful and engaging cricket writing that will be remembered for years to come.