Former Australia wicketkeeper and England selector Rod Marsh has died at the age of 74.
Marsh was taken ill last Thursday while traveling to a charity cricket match in Bundaberg, Queensland before passing away in Adelaide on Friday morning.
He effected 355 dismissals – a world record at the time of his retirement – in 96 Test appearances for Australia from 1970 to 1984. He also played 92 one-day internationals and served as Australia men’s chairman of selectors until 2016.
Marsh is third on Australia’s all-time dismissals list behind Adam Gilchrist with 416 and Ian Healy’s 395.
He would go on to form a formidable partnership with fast bowler Dennis Lillee, with the pair combining for a record 95 Test dismissals.
However, he had a difficult start to his Test career and was nicknamed ‘Iron Gloves’ during his first series against England in 1970-71 after dropping numerous catches.
He came close to a maiden century during that Ashes series, making an unbeaten 92 in Melbourne before captain Bill Lawry declared with Australia nine down.
He later became the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century when he reached triple figures against England in the 1977 Centenary Test.
