Welcome to the third episode of the Prince Alfred College Podcast. In this captivating conversation, Year 12 students, First XI Vice Captain, George, and First XI member, Ivan, sat down with Old Scholar, Mr Greg Chappell AO MBE, former International Test and One-Day cricketer for Australia.
From his days playing backyard cricket with his brothers, the years spent at PAC through to the highs and lows of his expansive professional and post-cricket career, Greg shares insights that resonate strongly with our College values of Respect, Excellence, Endeavour and Belonging.
On approaching Greg as the subject of their podcast, George shared, "His great leadership is something I admire. I think what he has learnt through his journey would be of great interest to members of the Prince Alfred College community who are also seeking to excel in their field of interest."
Ivan, shared, "As a past scholar at PAC I was interested in his experiences at the school. He also had many insights to share as a professional athlete. As one of the best captains Australia's cricket team has ever had, I was excited for the opportunity to meet him!”
A distinguished Old Scholar of Prince Alfred College, Greg Chappell is celebrated as one of Australia's best cricketers. He succeeded his brother, Ian, as Captain of the Australian XI in 1975, a position he held until the advent of World Series Cup Cricket in 1977. He resumed the captaincy in 1979 and remained in this position until his retirement in 1984.
Considered one of the most elegant and technically correct batsmen to have represented Australia, Greg played in 87 test matches, 46 as captain, with an average of 53.86 and highest score of 247. He played in 321 first class matches for an average of 52.20.
In one of his matches for the school's First XI, he scored a double ton and combined with classmate (and future Test teammate) Ashley Woodcock, to put on more than 300 runs for the first wicket against Scotch College. Chappell's cricket coach at the time, former first-class player Chester Bennett, described Greg as "possibly the finest all-round schoolboy cricketer in my experience...he could go far in the game."
Following his retirement from cricket, Greg worked in the Channel 9 commentary team and as a selector. Greg was an inaugural inductee to the Princes Men Gallery in 2001.
Upon reflecting on which College value he thought Greg exemplified the most, George shared, "I think Mr Chappell best exemplifies the value of 'excellence'. To get to the level that he did and to compete at that level of cricket for as long as he did, it doesn’t happen without a sustained display of excellence. Moreover, cricket is a team sport and he found team excellence as well as individual excellence."
Of the experience, Ivan said, “Whilst I was nervous about interviewing someone with the immense status of Greg Chappell, I felt as if I left the interview with new confidence and a great amount of knowledge about Mr Chappell and his life”.
George ended his remarks with, "I felt a sense of honour to have been able to interview Greg Chappell and was very grateful for the opportunity. It is something that I will remember for many years to come."
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