Chappell saga pointer for Smith and Warner

GREG Chappell’s story of the underarm has suddenly become a relevant inspiration for Steve Smith and David Warner as they prepare to walk into the lion’s den of an Ashes tour.

The retiring Test selector and former captain has opened up in a documentary to be screened tonight on the emotional rollercoaster ride he went on following the infamous underarm scandal against New Zealand.

Two of the darkest days in Australian cricket history were nearly 40 years apart and very different incidents in many ways, not least of all because bowling underarm did not constitute cheating under the laws of the game, unlike using a foreign object to tamper with the ball.

However, there remain some interesting parallels. Chappell reveals on Channel 7’s Underarm to screen at 10pm tonight that the Cricket Australia board weren’t in a position to sack him as captain, after taking legal advice that they “wouldn’t have had a leg to stand on”.

Instead he remained as Australian captain for a further three years following his decision to request brother Trevor bowl underarm as a measure to prevent New Zealand from hitting a six to tie a one-dayer back in 1981.

Cricket Australia appeared to have little hesitation in sacking Smith 37 years later, yet there’s been no suggestion that he considered legal action despite a CA investigation finding Smith’s only crime was to walk past a conversation in the dressing room and do nothing.

Chappell says his anger at the ridiculous workload imposed on his team and particularly on him as captain pushed him to breaking point.

The demands of a relentless international schedule were also used by many as an explanation for why Smith and Warner had their brain snap.

However, the most constructive lesson Australia’s banned duo might take from Chappell is the surprising emotional experience he had returning to the middle.

Anxious about how he would be received by a fired-up Kiwi crowd, Chappell found that there was nothing more satisfying than letting his bat do the talking.

Chappell scored a hundred and said it was the most memorable moment of his career – a motivational tale for Smith and Warner.

“I got a standing ovation when I walked off and it was quite amazing,” he said.