Tributes have poured in for Rod Marsh, the legendary Australian wicketkeeper, who has died aged 74.
Marsh suffered a heart attack last week and, despite being transferred from Bundaberg to a hospital in Adelaide, passed away.
Marsh was the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century, and played 96 Tests. When he played his final match in 1974, he held the record for the most Test dismissals.
His partnership with another West Australian, Dennis Lillee, was legendary and c Marsh b Lillee appeared a record 95 times in Test scorebooks.
Marsh enjoyed a busy career after retiring from playing, and was seen as one of the game’s finest talent spotters. He headed up official academies for Australia, England and the ICC, and also worked as an Australia selector and commentator around the world.
“Rod was a colossal figure in Australian cricket who gave close to 50 years of incredible service to Australian cricket, from his debut in the Ashes series of 1970-71, through to his time as National Selector, when many of the current group of Australian men's players came into close contact with him,” Australia Test captain Pat Cummins said, ahead of their Test against Pakistan.
“He was brilliant to deal with because he knew the game inside-out, but also had a way of dealing with you to put you at your ease. I, along with countless other people in Australia, grew up hearing the stories of him as a fearless and tough cricketer, but his swashbuckling batting and his brilliance behind the stumps over more than a decade made him one of the all-time greats of our sport, not just in Australia, but globally.
“When I think of Rod I think of a generous and larger-than-life character who always had a life-loving, positive and relaxed outlook, and his passing leaves a massive void in the Australian cricket community.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board also paid tribute.
“Today is a very sad day for world cricket, such was the impact Rod Marsh had on our game and on those who were lucky to know him,” said chief executive Tom Harrison. “Rod was one of the true greats of the game, a man who commanded respect on and off the field.
“Not only did he inspire on the pitch, his work both with our own and Australia’s Academy helped prepare and support some of the best players we have had the privilege of watching over the past twenty years. He was a true character, a proud Australian, a tough competitor and a man who demanded high standards.
“There are players who owe a great deal to Rod and even more who hold him in great affection. It is so sad to lose one another of cricket’s truly great people, but it was a privilege to have known Rod Marsh.”
