In honour of Rod: Australia’s beautiful tribute to late cricket great amid celebrations

Barefoot and still wearing their baggy greens, Australian players came together next to the newly built Rod Marsh tribute at Adelaide Oval for a moment of celebration.

Barefoot and still wearing their baggy greens, Australian players came together at the newly built Rod Marsh tribute at Adelaide Oval for a moment of celebration.

The team formed a circle outside the ground to belt out their famous Under the Southern Cross I Stand victory song, led by spin star Nathan Lyon.

It came just hours after the Australian team demolished the West Indies in the Second Test to claim a 419-run victory and wrap up a 2-0 Frank Worrell Trophy whitewash.

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Most players had changed into their training shorts for the touching gathering on Sunday, but many were still in their playing white top in the photo shared by SACA on social media.

The victory song, famously credited to Marsh back in the 1970s, is a tradition upheld by past captains and players after team victories.

A special moment at the Rod Marsh Spirit of Cricket Wattle Meeting Place.

Underneath the Southern Cross I Stand belted out in full voice - Rod would absolutely love it.

Thank you to the Australian Cricket Team for this beautiful tribute. pic.twitter.com/DLFbqSQ5hH

— SACA News (@SACAnews) December 11, 2022

Fox Cricket’s Kerry O’Keeffe was impressed by the memorial to Marsh unveiled last Thursday at Adelaide Oval.

“I couldn’t think of a better tribute to the great man,” he said.

“His passing was one of the saddest days of my life – I lost a mentor and I lost a friend.

“He was something special.”

Marsh sadly suffered a heart attack in February this year and died eight days later – on the same day as fellow cricket icon Shane Warne.

The victory song wasn’t the only touching gesture paid to Marsh, with his wife Ros ringing the famous Bradshaw bell at Adelaide Oval pre-game.

“This is a wonderful moment,” Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.

“The cricketing world lost a great friend in Rod Marsh earlier in the year.

“It’s a wonderful memorial, the spirit of cricket Rod Marsh memorial that's out the back of the members’ stand.

“What a tribute to a man that epitomised the spirit of cricket.

“The wattle down there below, inscribed on the walkway the Aussie team song. Some iron gloves – that’s what he was nicknamed.

“He taught a lot of the world how to keep wicket and how to uphold the values of the spirit of the game, Rodney William Marsh.”

Originally published as In honour of Rod: Australia’s beautiful tribute to late cricket great amid celebrations