INTERNATIONAL: Australian cricket was in mourning on Friday (March 4) following the death of Rod Marsh, with tributes for the former wicketkeeper by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and from across the cricketing community.
Marsh, who played 96 tests and 92 one-day internationals in the 1970s and 1980s, was 74 and died in Adelaide after a heart attack while on his way to a charity event in Bundaberg in Queensland on Feb. 24.
"Very sad to hear of the passing of Rod Marsh," Morrison wrote on Twitter.
"As a kid, he was my favorite player. He was part of one of the most exciting eras in Australian and world cricket. He will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest ever Test cricket players."
"He was a fierce competitor and fine sportsman who valued what the game stood for. Rod Marsh was a proud Western Australian and an absolute Aussie legend. My deepest sympathies go to his wife Ros and children Paul, Dan and Jamie."
Regarded as one of Australia's finest wicketkeepers, Marsh retired in 1984 with a then-world record tally of 355 dismissals.
He is fourth on the all-time dismissals list behind South Africa's Mark Boucher (555) and Australians Adam Gilchrist (416) and Ian Healy (395).
Marsh's death was confirmed by his son, Paul, in a statement released by the Australian Cricketers' Association.
Marsh made his test debut against England in November 1970 and scored 3,633 test runs during a career that lasted more than 13 years.
The Western Australian famously combined with fast bowler Dennis Lillee to take 95 wickets during the pair's career together.
Marsh played his final test against Pakistan in January 1984 and later became a national selector.
He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009 before stepping away from the game in 2016.
STATEMENT FROM PAUL MARSH AND FAMILY, SAYING:
"On behalf of my mother Ros and brothers Dan and Jamie, it is with immense sadness that I advise that my father Rod has passed away peacefully early this morning. He has been an incredible husband, father, and grandfather and we have been so fortunate to have had him in all our lives. We are so grateful for all of the love and support our family has received from so many people over the last week. It has given us strength in the most difficult week of our lives. Details for the funeral will be advised in due course."
CRICKET AUSTRALIA'S TWITTER PAGE, SAYING:
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Marsh. A brilliant wicketkeeper and hard-hitting batter, Rod's contribution to Australian cricket was outstanding and he will be truly missed. Our thoughts are with his wife Ros, children Paul, Dan and Jamie, and his many friends."
The tributes and condolences are flooding in from all over the Cricket world.
I also would like to pass on my condolences he was also one of my favorite wicket keepers. He will always live in my heart RIP Marshy.
