The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) joins the wider cricketing and sporting world in remembering the life of former Australian wicketkeeper, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inductee and MCC Honorary Cricket Member, Rodney Marsh MBE.
Mr Marsh passed away this morning in Adelaide, aged 74.Marsh played 96 Test matches for Australia between 1970-1984, retiring with a then-world record of 355 dismissals, 95 of which came off the bowling of close friend and former Australian fast bowler, Dennis Lillee.
He was also the first Australian wicketkeeper to make a Test century, reaching the mark against Pakistan in Adelaide in 1972-73. During the famous 1977 Centenary Test match held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Marsh became the first Australian wicket keeper to score a Test century against England.
At the MCG, Marsh made 517 Test runs at an average of 28.72. Marsh’s limited overs career started in the first One-Day International cricket match ever played on January 5, 1971 at the MCG.
Marsh’s contribution to Australian cricket continued beyond his playing career, with the establishment of the Australian Cricket Academy, firstly as Head Coach and then as a Director, and most recently serving as Australia’s chairman of selectors up until 2016.
He has also served in administration and high performance roles in England and Dubai for the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Marsh’s post-career honours include his induction into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame in 1982. In 2005, he was inducted in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame which is on display in the Australian Sports Museum at the MCG.
MCC President Michael Happell said Marsh would be remembered for his all-encompassing contribution to world cricket.
“The Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Marsh – one of the great characters of Australian cricket, a pioneering wicket-keeper batsman and gentleman of world cricket,” Mr Happell said.
“To so many of us, Rod was the face and symbol of Australian cricket and his partnership with Dennis Lillee is representative of summers in years gone past.
“Rod was a treasured Honorary Cricket Member of the Melbourne Cricket Club and few will forget that second innings century in the Centenary Test at the MCG.
“On behalf of the Club and all members, I send my condolences to Rod’s family and friends.”
The Club’s thoughts are with those survived by Marsh, including his wife Ros and children, Paul, Dan and Jamie.