‘Deep sadness’: Cricket legend Rod Marsh dead at 74

The cricket world is in mourning following the death of Aussie cricket icon Rod Marsh on Friday. He was a giant of the sport.

Aussie cricket legend Rod Marsh has died at the age of 74 after suffering a major heart attack last week.

Widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ever Test players, he had been in a critical condition and had been placed in an induced coma. He was transported to Adelaide earlier this week.

Marsh represented Australia in 96 Test matches and 92 ODIs between 1970 and 1984. He scored 3633 Test runs and claimed 343 catches in his illustrious career and since retirement, has contributed to the game he loves as a coach, commentator and national selector. He was inducted into Cricket Australia’s Hall of Fame in 2005.

Marsh had been in Bundaberg, Queensland, for an event organised by Bulls Masters, a non-profit that works with cricket professionals on charitable causes when he suffered the heart attack on February 25.

Rod Marsh has tragically died.

The cricket world is remembering a true giant of the sport.

He stands immortalised for his iconic tandem act with Aussie speed demon Dennis Lillee where they combined for a record number of dismissals. Their 95 dismissals is a record that has still never been beaten by any duo in Test cricket. Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath combined for 90 wickets in Test cricket.

Aussie cricket great Lisa Sthalekar wrote on Twitter: “So sad to hear the news of the passing of Rod Marsh. What a legend of a cricketer, a great bloke who made everyone feel welcome in this great game”.

Former Aussie Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill reflected on Marsh’s famously cheeky sense of humour.

“Very sad to hear Rod Marsh has passed,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I always found him generous and kind. While chair of selectors, with tongue in cheek, he called my wedding party to tell them they’d been ‘selected’.”

English commentator Alison Mitchell posted on Twitter: “Deep sadness for Rod Marsh RIP.

“Played his part in English cricket as well as Aus, when he headed up England’s first ever National Academy, and was a selector. What a character, what a loss. A legend.”

Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee were a dream team.

He’ll be remembered as one of our most-loved cricketers.

Aussie legend Mark Waugh tweeted: “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.”

Australian women’s wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy also paid tribute on social media.

“Oh man. Sad day. Sending all my love to the whole Marsh family xx,” Healy wrote.

New Zealand sports commentator Andrew Gourdie remembered Marsh’s protest at the moment of the infamous “under-arm” scandal that rocked the sport.

“RIP Rod Marsh. A man of integrity,” he wrote.

Sports writer Richard Hinds remembered Marsh as a cult hero.

“Champion cricketer and seventies icon. Haven’t been many better behind the sticks,” he posted on Twitter.

Cricket statistician Rick Eyre remembered Marsh for his famous character.

“One of Australian cricket’s great personalities and our Test wicketkeeper from 1970 through to 1984. Condolences to all his family and his wide network of friends,” he posted on Twitter.

Sports writer Greg Baum posted: “Australian cricket feels like a smaller place today”.

Rod Marsh during his run as national selector. Picture: Brendan Francis.

— with Jasper Bruce, NCA NewsWire