Australian legend Ian Chappell battling skin cancer

Legendary Australian cricketer and former captain Ian Chappell has revealed that he is battling skin cancer. Chappell is currently undergoing intense radiotherapy for treatment of the disease. Chappell has already completed five weeks of treatment to remove cancers from his shoulders, neck and underarm.

Chappell revealed the news speaking to The Daily Telegraph. He said:

“I didn’t tell too many people early on. Mainly because I just wasn’t sure what the radiotherapy would involve and how weary I’d be. But as it turned out, it wasn’t so bad. A bit of tiredness at night and a bit of skin irritation, but other than that I’m feeling pretty good. I told family and gradually a couple of my team-mates and I’ve been getting calls from them pretty regularly which is nice.”

Chappell also stated that he will be available for the coverage of the Ashes:

“With the Ashes coming up now, I’ll speak to Nine and just say, ‘look, I’m ready to go if you need me.”

Chappell stated that he has now gotten used to fighting cancer:

“When you hit 70 you feel (vulnerable) anyhow, but I guess I’ve got so used to bloody skin cancers over the years, and the fact that none of them have been melanomas, probably provides a bit of comfort. It may be naivety on my part. I’ve had multiple skin cancers cut off, burnt off and every other way you can get rid of them.”

Chappell played 75 Tests for Australia from 1964 to 1980 and scored 5345 runs at an average of 42.42 with 14 centuries.