Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh, widely regarded as one of the finest wicket-keepers to have played the game, has died of a heart attack at a charity event, his former teammates said on Friday.
The 74-year-old, who played 96 Tests and later was a long-time national selector, was in an induced coma and died at a hospital in Adelaide.
Marsh made his debut in 1970 and went on to have a world record 355 Test dismissals at the time before retiring in 1984, out of bowling great fast bowler Dennis Lillee.
He was the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century.
Following his playing career, Marsh remained closely associated with the game as head of the Australian Cricket Academy, helping to nurture dozens of Test players, including Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, before becoming chairman of selectors.
His former captain and longtime friend Ian Chappell told Channel Nine Marsh that he respected everyone he played with and against.
“It wasn’t just his ability to play, although it was a big part of it,” Chappell said.
“The thing about Rod was that you knew where you stood with him, he always said what he thought, and you can handle it, because he was in the front.”
Cricket Tasmania confirmed his death saying that it was deeply saddened to learn of the overnight passing of Rod Marsh.
“Rod is a symbol of Australian cricket and his passing signals a great loss to the game across the world,” it added.
Marsh is survived by wife Roslyn and sons Danielle, Paul and Jamie.
After he collapsed at a charity event in Queensland state last week, son Paul announced on Monday that his father was in an induced coma.
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