Former Australia wicketkeeper Rod Marsh passes away at 74

In what can be called a sad piece of news for world cricket, former Australian cricketer and national selector Rod Marsh has passed away at 74. Hailed as one of the most prominent personalities of the game, Marsh breathed his last on Friday (March 4). It must be noted that Marsh had suffered a heart attack midway through an event in Queensland last Thursday.

His condition never got better and he eventually passed away a week later. One of the finest wicketkeepers to have graced the game, Marsh represented Australia in 96 Test matches between 1970 and 1984, besides 92 one-day internationals. Notably, his tally of 355 dismissals was the most by a wicketkeeper in Test cricket by the time of his retirement.

He was also the first Australian wicketkeeper-batter to slam a Test century. While Marsh brought curtains to his career in 1984, he decided to serve Australian cricket in the administrative department. Marsh was the head of Australia’s cricket academy before taking the same job same England. He also worked as commentator and eventually became Australia’s chairman of selectors in 2014, a position he held for two years.

Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Rod Marsh: Mark Waugh

With Marsh being such an influential personality in world cricket, condolences came in from different corners. “So incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Rod (Bacchus) Marsh an absolute icon of Aust cricket. Had the pleasure of working with Rod for a number of years as a selector and you wouldn’t meet a more honest, down to earth, kind hearted person. RIP,” tweeted Mark Waugh.

So incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Rod (Bacchus)Marsh an absolute icon of Aust cricket. Had the pleasure of working with Rod for a number of years as a selector and you wouldn’t meet a more honest, down to earth, kind hearted person. RIP🙏

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) March 3, 2022

Meanwhile, Australian players are expected to sport black arm-bands during the first Test against Pakistan, which gets underway on Friday, in order to pay tribute to the star wicketkeeper. “Quite a few players and staff members have had really good relationships with Rod in the past,” Test captain Pat Cummins told reporters. “It’s really tough. It has certainly been a conversation point over here,” he added.