An Unexpected 'Sheed

Its namesake may currently be battling Boston's Kevin Garnett in the Eastern Conference Finals for the title of "Most Intense, Inspirational, and Flawed Floor Leader" in the NBA, but at least the good old 'Sheed Award is back!

For those who don't know, the 'Sheed Award goes to anyone in the cricket world who, like Rasheed Wallace in the NBA, manages to go beyond the usual sporting cliches and manages to tell the world truths: uncomfortable truths, unacknowledged truths, interesting truths.

Today's honoree is actually a bit of a surprise. We tend to rag on him a bit (okay, a lot) but sometimes we just have to give Ian Chappell his due. When asked about the whole Baggy Green nonsense in a tour match in Jamaica, Chappelli tells it like it is:

"It is a $5 bit of cloth. I haven't got one, haven't had one since the day I finished. I don't need to look at an Australian cap to remind me of what I did."

Right on, sista! Another worthy winner. Congratulations on your award.

Comments

[jrod]

Any chance he gets to take a shot at Steve Waugh he takes.

[D.S. Henry]

Yeah, why is that exactly? Did Steve run over his dog sometime, or what?

[Pontings_baldspot]

Ian Chappell had a crush on Mark Waugh.. He claimed he could watch Mark Waugh field all day.. He s just jealous Steve Waugh is the more revered brother of the two.. But have to agree, Mark Waugh was always the coolest guy on the field except when Carl Hooper or Mohd. Azharuddin were also on the field at the same time..

[Ceci Masters]

Were Carl Hooper or Azharuddin cooler that Chris Gayle? He is my coolometer marker

[D.S. Henry]

As far as I know, Mark Waugh was the first guy to bowl with his shades still on, which is the implicit barometer of cool in a cricket field. (Chris Gayle has definitely taken it to new levels, though.)

[Samir Chopra]

I think I need to see a paceman bowling with his shades on in order to revise my notion of 'cool'.

[J Rod]

I think it has to do with Steve's side being thought of as better than Ian's side.