ISLAMABAD: Australian cricket great Rod Marsh was remembered as \u201ca colossal figure\u201d in Australian cricket who passed away due to a heart attack at a charity event on Friday after dedicating 50 years of his life to sports.<\/p>\n
The 74-year-old had been in an induced coma and died away quietly in an Adelaide hospital on Friday morning, according to his family. He played 96 Tests and then became a long-time national selector.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so grateful for all the love and support our family has received from so many people over the last week,\u201d they said in a statement. \u201cIt has given us strength in the most difficult week of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Perth-born Marsh made his international debut in 1970 against England before retiring in 1984 with what was then a world-record 355 Test dismissals, 95 off the bowling of legendary paceman Dennis Lillee.<\/p>\n
Nicknamed \u201cIron Gloves\u201d, he also played 92 ODIs and as a dashing left-hander was the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century against Pakistan in 1982.<\/p>\n
After his playing career, he remained closely linked to the game as head of the Australian\u00a0Cricket\u00a0Academy, helping nurture dozens of players including Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer, before becoming chairman of selectors.<\/p>\n
His former captain and long-time friend Ian Chappell told Channel Nine that Marsh was respected by all those he played with and against.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis tentacles were pretty widespread in\u00a0cricket, so there were a lot of people that knew him, and even if somebody didn\u2019t necessarily like him, they respected him,\u201d Chappell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was always happy to have a yarn, he had a good sense of humour, anybody that met him enjoyed his company.\u201d<\/p>\n
Current Test captain Pat Cummins hailed him as \u201ca colossal figure in Australian\u00a0cricket\u00a0who gave close to 50 years of incredible service\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I think of Rod I think of a generous and larger-than-life character who always had a life-loving, positive and relaxed outlook, and his passing leaves a massive void in the Australian\u00a0cricket\u00a0community,\u201d said Cummins, who is in Pakistan for Australia\u2019s first Test tour since 1998.<\/p>\n
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Marsh was his favourite player growing up and called him \u201ca fierce competitor and a fine sportsman who valued what the game stood for\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe will be remembered as one of Australia\u2019s greatest ever Test\u00a0cricket\u00a0players,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Batting great Mark Waugh said Marsh was \u201can absolute icon\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHad the pleasure of working with Rod for a number of years as a selector and you wouldn\u2019t meet a more honest, down to earth, kind hearted person. RIP,\u201d he said on Twitter.<\/p>\n
Even England\u2019s Barmy Army supporter group paid tribute, tweeting: \u201cOur thoughts are with the legend\u2019s family and massive thanks Rod for some amazing Ashes memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
From 2001 until 2005, Marsh was the director of the England and Wales Cricket Board\u2019s national academy, and he is credited with revitalising the national squad.<\/p>\n
He is survived by wife Roslyn and sons Daniel, Paul and Jamie.<\/p>\n
Marsh had fainted last week at a charity event in Queensland, and his son Paul announced on Monday that his father was still in an induced coma.<\/p>\n