The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Ian Chappell plans to raise funds for Gilmour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 29, 2005

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Ian Chappell plans to raise funds for Gilmour

Sydney: Former Australian cricket captain Ian Chappell will organise a tribute lunch on September 23 to raise funds for the distressed all-rounder Gary Gilmour who needs an immediate liver transplant.

BBC Sports quoted Chappell as saying, "His condition has deteriorated to the point where he is on three hours stand-by for surgery.''

``It is vital that funds be raised to cover his medical costs and his family's on-going needs,'' Chappell said of his former teammate.

Three members of the present Australian side — skipper Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne — are supporting the cause and have donated auction items.

Ponting also promised to donate a playing shirt from the ongoing Ashes series, the report said.

Chappell, meanwhile, has come up with an innovative idea to raise fund for the player.

``One of the luncheon guests may possibly end up being 13th man during the Australia-Rest of the World Test in October — and that means being in the Australian dressing room and carrying the drinks,'' Chappell added.

Though Gilmour played only 15 Tests and five one-dayers for Australia, he shone in his debut in the World Cup semifinal at Headingley in 1975 when he claimed six wickets for just 14 runs.

Though Australia lost the final to the West Indies, the left-arm pacer grabbed five wickets in the match.

Gilmour never hid his dislike for modern day cricket and once said, "I couldn't play under today's conditions, what with the travelling and training and scientific aspects.''

``It's not a sport any more, it's like going to work,'' he felt. — UNI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport