Vale: Rod Marsh

Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh, who commentated for Wide World of Sports, has died aged 74.

The former wicketkeeper died in hospital in Adelaide this morning, after suffering a serious heart attack.

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 his great mate, Dennis Lillee.

Marsh remained connected to the game after his retirement, including with the Nine’s cricket commentary team mostly between 1987 – 1989 as well as taking charge of the Australian Cricket Academy.

Ian Chappell, told Wide World of Sports Marsh was respected by all those he played with and against.

“It wasn’t just his playing ability, although that was a big part of it,” Chappell said.

“The thing about Rod was, you knew where you stood with him, he always said what he thought, and you can handle that, because he was up-front.”

He was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2005 and the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.