Former Aussie Test star Keith Stackpole dead at 84

The Australian cricket community is mourning the loss of a former opening batsman who died this week at aged 84.

The Australian cricket community is mourning the loss of former opening batsman Keith Stackpole, who died this week at aged 84.

The powerful right-hander suffered a suspected heart attack.

The news was confirmed this morning on 3AW Breakfast by journalist Jon Anderson, who spoke with Stackpole’s son Peter on Sunday night.

Anderson told hosts Mark Allen and Jimmy Bartel that Stackpole was the “godfather of Victorian cricket” and offering condolences to his wife Pat, and children Peter, Tony and Angela.

Stackpole’s career spanned 43 Test matches between 1966 and 1974, but his presence on Victorian cricket was felt long after he hung up the boots.

Aussie cricket ‘godfather’ dead at 84.

Stackpole in action for Collingwood in the match against Melbourne.

He was a mentor former Aussie Test stars Brad Hodge and Dean Jones as they emerged through the ranks.

As a player, he debuted in the Fourth Test against England in Adelaide during the 1965–66 Ashes series, and made an instant impression. Batting at number eight in that Test, he contributed a valuable 43 runs, plucked a sharp catch to dismiss Jim Parks, and turned his arm over with to remove England captain M.J.K. Smith and vice-captain Colin Cowdrey with some handy leg-spin.

Australia went on to win that match by an innings to level the series.

He was a mentor former Aussie Test stars Brad Hodge and Dean Jones as they emerged through the ranks.

But it was in 1970–71 where Stackpole truly stamped his authority. He topped the run tally against England with 627 at 52.25, a performance that steadied Australia’s top order in a turbulent Ashes campaign.

In the 1972 Ashes tour of England, he again led from the front, this time as opener, once more finishing as Australia’s leading run-scorer.

Off the field, he was all charm and quick wit and a popular figure in the commentary box and, for a time, the voice of cricket in Melbourne’s summer airwaves.

Former Aussie fast bowler Rodney Hogg shared an anecdote about Stackpole when he encountered him at the ripe old age of 16.

Hogg was opening the bowling for Northcote when he realised Stackpole was something else entirely.

“I did what I did to every other batsman and bowled as fast and short as I could,” Hogg said.

“A lot of batsmen hooked me successfully but only two with total impunity, Stacky and a bloke called Viv Richards. Stacky would hook a low flying aircraft if it flew over the MCG. As a people we were quite different but found common ground and formed a friendship that meant a lot to me. He was firm but very, very fair.”

Aussie cricket icon Doug Walters told Code Sports: “Stacky was a great team man.

“He was also great to watch. The first ball could go out of the ground. He had a particularly good hook shot. He had shots everywhere. He will be missed.’’

Originally published as Former Aussie Test star Keith Stackpole dead at 84