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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
James Whaling

Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh rushed to hospital after serious heart attack

Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh has been rushed to hospital after suffering a major heart attack.

Marsh, 74, was taken ill in Bundaberg, Queensland where he was due to attend an event for the Bulls Masters charity group.

Organisers John Glanville and David Hillier rushed the former wicketkeeper to hospital.

"John and Dave deserve so much credit because the doctor said if they had waited for an ambulance he would not have made it," Bulls Masters boss Jimmy Maher told News Corp.

"Rod landed at 10.05am and rang me from the car at about 10.30. He said he could not wait to have a beer with me. Then soon [after] Dave rang me from the car and told me what had happened. It's devastating.''

Marsh played 96 Tests for the Aussies between 1970 and 1984, taking 355 dismissals behind the stumps.

Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley said: "We are very concerned to hear the news about Rod and send him all our best wishes. Our thoughts are with him, his wife Ros and their family and many friends at this difficult time.

"Rod is one of the most iconic and popular figures in the game and we thank and acknowledge those who are looking after him."

Marsh struck 3,633 Test runs with three centuries and also scored 1,225 runs in 92 one-day internationals.

In first-class cricket, he scored over 11,000 runs with 12 centuries at an average of over 31.

Marsh batting against England during the 1981 Ashes series (Allsport)

Marsh served as chairman of selectors for Australia before stepping down from the role in 2016.

The Australian Cricketers' Association said: "The thoughts of everyone within cricket are with the family and many friends of Rod Marsh who is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a heart attack this morning.

"Rod is an influential figure in Australian cricket and has been so for more than 50 years.

"He was in Bundaberg as part of the Queensland Bulls Masters event and is currently surrounded by some of his former team-mates. He will soon be joined by his family who are making their way to Bundaberg."

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