Chappell joins Aussies
GREG CHAPPELL
Ricky Ponting's Australia are looking for inside knowledge from former India coach Greg Chappell to help the tourists win the upcoming four-Test series on Indian soil.
Chappell, an ex-Australian captain and batting legend, coached India from 2005-2007 before taking over as head of Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence in Brisbane this year.
He returns to India as assistant coach of the 15-man Australian squad with the primary aim of guiding the young squad on what is widely regarded as one of the toughest cricketing tours.
Australian pace bowler Brett Lee said he was delighted that the tourists can use Chappell's knowledge of Indian conditions for the series starting in Bangalore on October 9.
"We will definitely be picking his brains for every little bit of knowledge and experience he's gained," Lee told reporters on Tuesday.
"Being a former India coach is one of the reasons he's here, but also for his experience as a past Australian captain and player and what he's achieved.
"Just to have him around is great. We are looking forward to having Greg Chappell help us and the guys with their batting and fielding.
"I think he'll be a very key member of the Australian team.
"He's here and he's wearing Australian colours. What he has done for the Indian players has been brilliant, but he's moved on, taken up a new challenge and that's great for us."
Chappell helped organise the Australian team's weeklong training camp in Jaipur, where he spent the past year as coach of Rajasthan state's cricket academy.
Chappell had a difficult two-year reign as India's coach, now remembered mostly for his public spat with Sourav Ganguly that led to the sacking of the country's most successful Test captain.
The Australian resigned from the post after India's unceremonious first-round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.
Chappell's experience will benefit the tourists -- only skipper Ponting and batsmen Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke and Simon Katich have played a Test in India before.
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