Follow UsOne of Test cricket's greatest-ever wicketkeepers and a superb left-handed batter, Rod Marsh has died aged 74. Marsh suffered a heart attack in Queensland last week and died in an Adelaide hospital on Friday (March 4).
Marsh made his debut in 1970 before retiring in 1984 with what was then a world-record 355 Test dismissals, 95 off the bowling of legendary paceman Dennis Lillee. He was also the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century. Marsh featured in 96 Tests and 92 ODIs, scoring close to 5000 runs.
After his playing career, Marsh remained closely linked to the game as head of the Australian Cricket Academy, helping nurture dozens of Test players including Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, before becoming chairman of selectors.
His former captain and long-time friend Ian Chappell told Channel Nine that Marsh was respected by all those he played with and against. "It wasn't just his playing ability, although that was a big part of it. The thing about Rod was, you knew where you stood with him, he always said what he thought, and you can handle that, because he was up-front."
Meanwhile, Former Test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said: "I can't quite believe it, I just thought he was invincible. He was my absolute hero and I guess inspiration to all I set out to achieve and have a crack at. It really was him, he was just an idol, he helped me pursue what I wanted to do," Gilchrist told SEN.
"To have him come into my life and have such a profound impact on my sporting life and then personal life as a mate. I still can't believe that he was in my group of friends, in my friendship circle. I can't believe it, he seemed unreal, one of those guys that was on TV, they just didn't seem like they were real people, like superheroes.
"It's going to be an emotional time and a rollercoaster as we reflect on what he meant, and think about his family, Ros, Jamie, Paul, Dan and the extended family. They lose such a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, all of those sorts of titles, they lose an icon and the nation will mourn with them.
"It's certainly a rollercoaster, then we'll reflect on the good, fun stuff. He was such a rogue."
Australia's current Test skipper Pat Cummins said Marsh was a colossal figure in Australian cricket and knew everything about the game. "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.
"My thoughts, and the thoughts of the entire tour party here in Pakistan, are with Rod’s wife Ros and their family at this terrible time."
Marsh is survived by his wife Ros and children Paul, Dan and Jamie.
(With inputs from AFP)