‘I’m shattered’: Bill Lawry’s touching tribute to dear friend and former opening partner, Keith Stackpole

Bill Lawry is renowned as cricket’s voice of eternal sunshine but after the news of his dear friend’s passing, he simply could not fake it.

Bill Lawry spoke to Keith Stackpole the day before he died, never sensing it would be the last connection in a friendship spanning almost seven decades.

Lawry is renowned as cricket’s voice of eternal sunshine but today, after picking up his home phone, he simply could not fake it.

“I’m shattered,’’ the former Australian captain told Code Sports when asked about Stackpole, who died of a suspected heart attack on Tuesday.

“When I got the call from his son with the news I was shocked because I spoke to Stacky the day before he died and he seemed fine.

“I have lost a great friend. I have really taken it hard. We were similar – he was probably more sociable than I am. I don’t have many close friends. We would talk a lot.

“We have lost not only a great Victorian but a real good citizen. He was great to have as a friend. He has been wonderful.’’

Bill Lawry (right) with his dear friend Keith Stackpole striding to the crease for Australia against England in 1971. Picture: Supplied

Keith Stackpole in commentary. Picture: Supplied

As the conversation gained momentum Lawry felt the clouds part and slipped into storyteller mode as he floated back to memories of batting together with Stackpole for Victoria and Australia, spending fun years commentating beside each other and staying life long friends.

“Stacky and I used to love working together on Channel Nine and I was really disappointed when he was dropped from the team. I rang him a lot after that. That was ridiculous.

“Kerry Packer was in a bad mood and he rang up David Hill and said your costs are getting too high and Hilly sat down and obviously got the shits and sacked Stacky and Frank Tyson.

“Stacky packed up his blazer and sent it back to David Hill and said you can stick this.

“It was tragic. He and I were enjoying the good life. It felt as if we got paid more for a day with Channel Nine than we did playing for Australia for a season.”

Ian Redpath, Keith Stackpole, Ray Jordon and Bill Lawry. Picture: Supplied

Lawry first encountered the Stackpole family when he was 16-year-old batting prodigy riding to first grade games on his Malvern Star bicycle.

“I played against Stacky’s father (Keith senior) in my first grade debut on a wet wicket and he came into our room after and said “son, never play forward on a wet wicket’ and he turned around and walked out. So I feel as if I had known the family forever.

“Stacky’s old man was a very aggressive player and it flowed through to Keith. He would have no qualms hitting the first ball for four. He played the game as you probably should play it.’’

Stackpole was an aggressive hooker, cutter and risk taker who had to work hard to win over some of the game’s biggest voices.

Stackpole at the crease during 1972 Ashes. Picture: Getty Images

“When he made his first Ashes Test century (in Brisbane in 1970) Sir Donald Bradman appeared in our dressing room – and that was very rare – and he said to Stacky, ‘I didn’t think you had the patience to do that’.

“He was also a very good vice-captain to Ian Chappell. There was once when Ian wanted to drop a senior member of the side and he asked Stacky whether he had his support. It was a big call but Stacky said “I am right behind you’’ and he was. That was Stacky. He stood for something.’’

Originally published as ‘I’m shattered’: Bill Lawry’s touching tribute to dear friend and former opening partner, Keith Stackpole