Chappell open to new Test mix

The prospect of the 'Big Four' quicks all featuring in the same XI for the Ashes looms large after former Australia captain Greg Chappell admitted he would consider playing five specialist bowlers in the Test side. 

Australia resisted the temptation of unleashing the fearsome quartet of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson during last month's Champions Trophy, despite selecting all four in the same squad for the first time.

In the longest format, Australia have generally picked four specialist bowlers, a 'keeper batting at seven and a seam-bowling allrounder in the top six for balance in recent years. 

They showed signs of moving away from that model last summer, with Nic Maddinson, a batsman, Hilton Cartwright, who selectors have stressed is viewed as a batting allrounder, and Glenn Maxwell, an off-spinning allrounder used sparingly with the ball in his Test recall in India, all tried at No.6. 

Chappell, Cricket Australia's national talent manager as well as a selector, says the hunt for a player in the mould of South Africa legend Jacques Kallis goes on, but admits he's open to a different mix for the Test XI.

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"We'll pick the best side we can pick with the best balance we can get, but there's more than one way to achieve that," Chappell, who recently launched his new charity 'The Chappell Foundation' in aid of youth homelessness, told cricket.com.au.

"There's more than one way to get there. The Jacques Kallis type of cricketer is just gold. He could warrant a place in the side as a batsman and could warrant a place in the side as a bowler. 

"They're rare commodities, so we're always on the lookout for a player like that. But that's not the only way to get the balance that you want."

Asked if that balance could see incumbent gloveman Matthew Wade moved up to six and Pattinson, given his impressive form with the bat last summer, at seven, Chappell said it's something he'd consider putting forward.

"They're the sort of options that we've got," he said.

"We're very fortunate with the likes of Wade, (and other 'keepers Peter) Nevill and (Alex) Carey, they're all good enough batsmen to play in the top six and that really gives you some options."

Chappell also said the door is open for leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson to be added to the Test squad for Bangladesh.

In announcing the 13-man party for the two-Test campaign in August-September, chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns indicated a supplementary squad member would likely be named following the 'A' tour to South Africa.

However, that Australia A tour has since been scrapped by the Australian Cricketers' Association due to the ongoing pay dispute with CA.

Selected Australia A quicks Jackson Bird, Jason Behrendorff, Chadd Sayers and Chris Tremain were expected to be the main contenders vying for that final berth on the Bangladesh tour. 

But Chappell said Swepson, who was part of the 16-player squad for the recent four-Test tour of India, could join Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar to bolster the squad's spin stocks.

"You've got Swepson (too), it doesn't have to be a fast-bowler necessarily," the former Test captain said. 

In addition to his duties as talent spotter and NSP member, Chappell will this summer have his hands full with upcoming launch of The Chappell Foundation, his new charity seeking to tackle youth homelessness.

With the backing of his two brothers, Ian and Trevor, as well as the likes of Test legend Dennis Lillee and current Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, the Foundation's first event will be a fundraiser at Sydney's Elanora Golf Club on October 6.

"It's been something I've been thinking about for a while," he explained. 

"I've been involved with other charities that assist young people overseas and I've always had the feeling I'd love to do something for Australian kids and youth. 

"We've seen some good work done for homeless, disadvantaged and at-risk youth around the country and the idea is to hopefully access a different group of people to raise some funds for those groups, and use our networks to support some people doing some really good work."

Chappell says the plight of disadvantaged young people first struck him while going about his regular exercise routine before work. 

"I think it started when I was living in Melbourne working at (Cricket Australia's) head office there, in East Melbourne," he said.

"I used to go into Fitzroy Gardens and do some exercise. The number of people I saw – particularly young people – sleeping rough disturbed me. 

"In the middle of winter, you just wonder how the heck they survive. That was the first time I really started to think about it. 

"The fact there's 100,000 people who sleep rough and nearly half of them are under 25 years of age – I just think we've got to do better and would love to play a part, albeit a small and modest part. 

"If we can help one person get their life back together, I'll feel as if we've done something worthwhile."

For more information about The Chappell Foundation, click here.