Ashes lacked the emotion which Ind vs SA had: Ian Chappell

Former Australia skipper Ian Chappell felt that the intense competition that he witnessed in the three-match Test series between India and South Africa was missing from the one-sided Ashes. South Africa fought back fiercely after losing the first match to win the series 2-1 with the third Test in Centurion going down to the wire.

"South Africa surprisingly defeated India in an old-fashioned dogfight that included some enthralling cricket. It also involved ample emotion of the sort that has notably been missing from an Ashes contest that has been surprisingly uncontroversial so far," Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

"The South Africa series featured bowling domination on pitches that were probably too much in favour of the fielding side, but there was also some exquisite batting," Chappell said about the Proteas' batting performances as they registered two successful chases in the series win.

The 78-year old felt that Ashes in Australia was frustratingly one-sided as the hosts outclassed England 4-0 to lift the Urn.

"The Australia-versus-England series has often been frustratingly one-sided. It was apparent again when the ebullient Travis Head, aided by Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green, launched a defiant counterattack in Hobart.

Across 10 innings in the series, England failed to put up a single 300-plus total with captain Joe Root being the only visiting batter to average above 30.

"In the first three Tests it was mainly the home side displaying the grit and application that five-day cricket requires. That led to 12 days where Australia steamrolled their way to a series victory, while English cricket was exposed for all its ineptitude," Chappell said.

England managed to hang on for a draw in the fourth Test at Sydney, defending a single wicket for the final hour of the fifth day. Despite the fightback Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes in the match, Chappell felt that the Aussies were the superior side by a mile.

"It was only when Joe Root's batting skill was duplicated and England finally applied some bowling nous that a Test was saved. Even then it was a close call.

"At the SCG, Australia were still by far the better side, expertly led and prepared to expend the required energy, but at least England unearthed some much needed fight."

Chappell pointed to the example of South Africa's No.3 batter Keegan Petersen to emphasise the importance role played by national selectors. Petersen's three fifties, off which two were came in the series decider in Centurion, earned him Player of the Match and Series.

"... In particular, Petersen's sudden rise to fame has been a revelation and raises the question of where he has been all this while. This example exposes one of the mysteries of Test cricket: do some selectors know what they should be looking for?

"Petersen is in his prime, at 28, but he has only played five Tests. Despite lacking experience he has all the requirements of a Test No. 3, including a wide range of shots that he is prepared to play, plus a solid defence.

"So why is he only playing now? Sometimes players deserve an opportunity on potential and temperament alone and this is where good selection stands out," Chappell wrote.

(With inputs from PTI)