He seems to be in a combative mood of late.
Aussies lose invincibility
Jon Pierik
FORMER captain Ian Chappell has accused Australia of arrogance and stupidity and says Ricky Ponting's team has lost its world champion aura.
Chappell says Australia's priority when it lands in the Caribbean this week for the World Cup must be to settle on its best team after a summer of tinkering with the line-up.
Australia has two practice matches -- against Zimbabwe and England -- before it plays group matches against Scotland, the Netherlands and South Africa.
"Australia's first priority in the Caribbean is to settle on their best side," Chappell said.
"Thanks to a dangerous mixture of arrogance and stupidity during the Commonwealth Bank Series, Australia fiddled rather than found their best combination and then the coach incited the opposition by indulging in ridicule.
"Now they find themselves unsure of who are the best bowlers in the final overs and they are also struggling to unearth a spinner to take a wicket or two in the middle overs after the power plays.
"This is a crucial role and if Australia can't find someone to do the job with (Andrew) Symonds injured, they'll constantly encounter big targets or have their totals, even the larger ones, chased down."
Symonds, recovering from a repaired torn bicep, isn't expected to play at least until the start of the Super 8 stage.
After losing the tri-series finals to England and surrendering the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 3-0 in New Zealand, the Australian brains trust has much to think about before the 15-man squad leaves on Wednesday.
The return of skipper Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist, who will arrive late but in time for next week's first practice match, will provide a crucial boost, but Brett Lee's ankle injury has robbed the team of arguably its most important bowler.
While the Australians may return to form after losing five straight games, Chappell said the loss of reputation would linger longer.
"Australia are now not only a team searching for answers and confidence but are also a side whose aura has faded," he wrote in London's Sunday Telegraph. "This lack of an air of invincibility will be the hardest thing to rediscover.
"There is no doubt Ponting and Gilchrist will still greatly worry opponents and there'll be plenty of racing pulses among the fielding side while they are still at the crease.
"However, there's no longer a Shane Warne to send tremors through a batting line-up and with Lee not there to intimidate and Glenn McGrath a receding force, the Australia attack no longer strikes fear into an opponent -- ask New Zealand."
Aussies lose invincibility
Jon Pierik
FORMER captain Ian Chappell has accused Australia of arrogance and stupidity and says Ricky Ponting's team has lost its world champion aura.
Chappell says Australia's priority when it lands in the Caribbean this week for the World Cup must be to settle on its best team after a summer of tinkering with the line-up.
Australia has two practice matches -- against Zimbabwe and England -- before it plays group matches against Scotland, the Netherlands and South Africa.
"Australia's first priority in the Caribbean is to settle on their best side," Chappell said.
"Thanks to a dangerous mixture of arrogance and stupidity during the Commonwealth Bank Series, Australia fiddled rather than found their best combination and then the coach incited the opposition by indulging in ridicule.
"Now they find themselves unsure of who are the best bowlers in the final overs and they are also struggling to unearth a spinner to take a wicket or two in the middle overs after the power plays.
"This is a crucial role and if Australia can't find someone to do the job with (Andrew) Symonds injured, they'll constantly encounter big targets or have their totals, even the larger ones, chased down."
Symonds, recovering from a repaired torn bicep, isn't expected to play at least until the start of the Super 8 stage.
After losing the tri-series finals to England and surrendering the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 3-0 in New Zealand, the Australian brains trust has much to think about before the 15-man squad leaves on Wednesday.
The return of skipper Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist, who will arrive late but in time for next week's first practice match, will provide a crucial boost, but Brett Lee's ankle injury has robbed the team of arguably its most important bowler.
While the Australians may return to form after losing five straight games, Chappell said the loss of reputation would linger longer.
"Australia are now not only a team searching for answers and confidence but are also a side whose aura has faded," he wrote in London's Sunday Telegraph. "This lack of an air of invincibility will be the hardest thing to rediscover.
"There is no doubt Ponting and Gilchrist will still greatly worry opponents and there'll be plenty of racing pulses among the fielding side while they are still at the crease.
"However, there's no longer a Shane Warne to send tremors through a batting line-up and with Lee not there to intimidate and Glenn McGrath a receding force, the Australia attack no longer strikes fear into an opponent -- ask New Zealand."
