Past captains will answer five set questions. here is the first one of Ian Chappell:
Ian Chappell led Australia in the inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup in 1975 and ended up in the final against the West Indies at Lord's. The Australians were thwarted by some superlative fielding by Viv Richards after skipper Clive Lloyd tore their pace attack of Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson and Max Walker apart.
Chappell, who never lost a Test series as captain in his four-year reign, retired as skipper following the Ashes win over England, a series which followed the '75 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Who are you putting your money on to win the 2007 ICC World Cup?
Australia
Why do you think they can win?
They are the dominant side and the only way I see them being beaten is if a side like Sri Lanka (maybe India) sets Australia 250-260 on a turning pitch at the knock-out stage.
Who do you think is the best captain in the game today?
Mahela Jayawardene just ahead of Stephen Fleming. They are both more attacking than Ricky Ponting who is good but conservative. Ponting can afford to be conservative as he still wins because he has the best attack.
What would it take to succeed consistently on the Caribbean pitches?
If you bat well and field well and have a good and varied attack you'll win anywhere.
In which area do you think a captain will be tested the most?
The most difficult thing for a captain is to find a way to claw back the initiative when the opposition has got on top. This generally requires the foresight of an optimist, complemented by an attacking approach. Consequently not many captains are able to do it. Any captain who has the courage to take an attacking approach when playing Australia will give his side the best chance of upsetting the favourites.
Ian Chappell led Australia in the inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup in 1975 and ended up in the final against the West Indies at Lord's. The Australians were thwarted by some superlative fielding by Viv Richards after skipper Clive Lloyd tore their pace attack of Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson and Max Walker apart.
Chappell, who never lost a Test series as captain in his four-year reign, retired as skipper following the Ashes win over England, a series which followed the '75 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Who are you putting your money on to win the 2007 ICC World Cup?
Australia
Why do you think they can win?
They are the dominant side and the only way I see them being beaten is if a side like Sri Lanka (maybe India) sets Australia 250-260 on a turning pitch at the knock-out stage.
Who do you think is the best captain in the game today?
Mahela Jayawardene just ahead of Stephen Fleming. They are both more attacking than Ricky Ponting who is good but conservative. Ponting can afford to be conservative as he still wins because he has the best attack.
What would it take to succeed consistently on the Caribbean pitches?
If you bat well and field well and have a good and varied attack you'll win anywhere.
In which area do you think a captain will be tested the most?
The most difficult thing for a captain is to find a way to claw back the initiative when the opposition has got on top. This generally requires the foresight of an optimist, complemented by an attacking approach. Consequently not many captains are able to do it. Any captain who has the courage to take an attacking approach when playing Australia will give his side the best chance of upsetting the favourites.
