Australian legendary wicketkeeper Rod Marsh dies at age 74, cricketing world mourns

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame on Friday confirmed Rod Marsh, who played 96 Test matches for Australia from 1970 to 1984, had died in an Adelaide hospital.

Former Australia wicketkeeper Rod Marsh. (Photo: Cricket Australia)

Rod Marsh, an Australian cricket great and the wicketkeeper who formed a prolific wicket-taking partnership with pace bowler Dennis Lillee, has died a week after suffering a heart attack during a fundraising event in Queensland state. He was 74.

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame on Friday confirmed Marsh, who played 96 Test matches for Australia from 1970 to 1984, had died in an Adelaide hospital. Marsh held a Test record of 355 dismissals by a wicketkeeper, including 95 off the bowling of Lillee. He also played 92 ODIs for Australia before retiring from top-flight cricket in February 1984.

A left-handed batter, he was the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a century in test cricket, and finished his career with three. He later led the national cricket academies in Australia and in England and was the inaugural head of the International Cricket Council’s world coaching academy in Dubai.

Legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne led the tributes for Marsh on social media. “Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys &  girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate,” Warne wrote.

Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 4, 2022

Extremely sad to hear about the passing away of Rod Marsh.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/HWZW73b0z4

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 4, 2022

Very sad to hear of the passing of Rod Marsh. As a kid he was my favourite player. He was part of one of the most exciting eras in Australian and world cricket. He will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest ever Test cricket players. pic.twitter.com/SvRhe2u2z9

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 4, 2022

In 2014, he was appointed as Australia’s chairman of selectors and held the position for two years. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. The hall of fame’s chairman, John Bertrand, said Marsh was was tactical, spoke without fear and spotted the talents of young cricketers.

“Wickets were caught by Marsh and the term ‘caught Marsh, bowled Lillee’ became folklore,” Bertrand said. “He created history. Respected by all those he played with and against.”

(with PTI inputs)