KARACHI: Former Australian captain and renowned commentator Ian Chappell has bid adieu to his prolonged commentary career that spanned over 45 years.

The former captain, who represented Australia in 91 international matches, was considered one of the bluntest voices in cricket, on Sunday confirmed Sydney Morning Herald that he has been “contemplating” the decision for some time.

“I remember the day when I knew I’d had enough of playing cricket,’ Chappell said. “I looked at the clock and it was five past 11 on a day of play and I thought, ‘S**t if you’re clock-watching at that time, I have to go.

“So when it comes to commentary, I’ve been thinking about it. I had a minor stroke a few years back and I got off lucky. But it just makes everything harder. And I just thought with all the travel and, you know, walking upstairs and things like that, it’s all just going to get harder.

“Then I read what Rabbits [legendary rugby league commentator Ray Warren] said with retirement and it really struck home when I read the bit where he said, ‘you’re always one sentence closer to making a mistake.”

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