By Tom Decent and Daniel Brettig
Former Australian wicketkeeper Rod Marsh is in hospital after suffering a major heart attack.
The 74-year-old, who played 96 Tests for Australia between 1970 and 1984, is receiving treatment in a Queensland hospital after suffering a heart attack on Thursday morning.
Rod Marsh in 1978. Credit: Alan Gilbert Purcell
Marsh arrived in Bundaberg for a Bulls Masters event but felt unwell in the car on his way from the airport. Quick-thinking officials took the Australian cricket great to hospital.
A Bundaberg Hospital spokesman said Marsh was in a critical but stable condition.
Ian Chappell, Marsh’s former Australian captain and close friend, said that, during his own recent health troubles including cancer and a stroke, Marsh had been in touch with him more often than anyone else.
“He rang me more than anyone else when I had the stroke, he rang me a lot when I was in hospital,” Chappell said. “Of late we’ve spoken a couple of times a week and he’s never said anything - he’s always been chirpy and I’ve never known him to have any heart trouble.
Australian cricket legends Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee at the MCG in 2017.Credit: Getty
“If he gets with Dennis (Lillee) or any of his mates he usually has a big drink, but Rodney’s had a lot of practice at that. He’s tested out that constitution on many occasions and it’s never failed him yet.”
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement: “We are very concerned to hear the news about Rod and send him all our best wishes. Our thoughts are with him, his wife Ros and their family and many friends at this difficult time. Rod is one of the most iconic and popular figures in the game and we thank and acknowledge those who are looking after him.”
Australian cricket’s great and good were rocked by news of Marsh’s heart attack on Thursday, awaiting updates on his condition from Bundaberg and the Bulls Masters chief, the former Queensland captain Jimmy Maher. Allan Border and Darren Lehmann were also present in Bundaberg.
Maher credited the Bulls Masters officials, John Glanville and David Hillier, with saving Marsh’s life.
“John and Dave deserve so much credit because the doctor said if they had waited for an ambulance he would not have made it,” Maher told News Corp.
“The medical staff at the Bundaberg Hospital were wonderful. We are all shocked. It’s terrible. I could not believe it. Rod landed at 10.05am and rang me from the car at about 10.30. He said he could not wait to have a beer with me. Then soon Dave rang me from the car and told me what had happened. It’s devastating.”
Marsh and fast-bowling great Dennis Lillee are honoured with the Lillee-Marsh stand at the WACA Ground in Perth in recognition of the “caught Marsh, bowled Lillee” partnership.
WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said in a statement: “We’re deeply concerned to hear of Rod Marsh’s medical emergency after suffering a major heart attack.
“On behalf of WA cricket staff and players, and the wider cricket community, I would like to pass on our heartfelt thoughts to Rod and his family.
“He’s a much-loved husband and father – and remains one of the wicketkeeping greats of our game. We hope he’s able to make a full and speedy recovery.”
Marsh has enjoyed a fruitful and varied post-playing career in and around the game.
Between commentary stints, he served as head of the Australia, England and International Cricket Council academies, before joining the Australian men’s selection panel in 2011.
Marsh became selection chair in 2014, replacing John Inverarity, and held the post until his retirement in late 2016.
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