Vale Rod Marsh MBE
Esteemed Member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame
04/11/1947 – 04/03/2022
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame is mourning the passing of esteemed Member Rod Marsh MBE who passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022 following a major heart attack last Thursday. He was 74 years old.
Thick-set in build and combative in approach, Marsh remains one of the most respected wicket keepers to have ever played international cricket. During a Test career which bridged a period of 14 years until his retirement in 1983/84, he collected a then world record tally of 355 dismissals; the combination of his concentration, athleticism and highly skilled glove work earning him enormous admiration among spectators and fellow players alike.
Although he did not cut the perfect athletic figure, Marsh was nimble-footed and his capacity to move acrobatically to intercept errant deliveries and catches was a constant feature. He was an invaluable player for both Western Australia and Australia, and the inextricability of his association with fast bowler Dennis Lillee – the dismissal “caught Marsh bowled Lillee” was recorded 95 times in Tests – is one of the legends of Australian cricket. Marsh was also an excellent batsman in his own right, scoring three Test centuries, and his forceful stroke play lay at the core of many stubborn Australian lower-order performances.
Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair John Bertrand AO said “Rod Marsh was more than just a successful wicketkeeper-batsman, he was tactical, spoke without fear and spotted the talents of our Aussie’s best.
Wickets were caught by Marsh and the term “caught Marsh, bowled Lillee” became folklore. He created history. Respected by all those he played with and against.
Marsh had a wicked sense of humour, loved by teammates, loved by the country – your company will be missed by all Bacchus.
Our deepest condolences are with wife Ros and children Paul, Dan and Jamie, all his past teammates, the Australian Cricket community and all of the many lives he touched.”
Read Rod Marsh’s full biography here.
Rod Marsh with fellow Sport Australia Hall of Fame Members Greg Chappell AO MBE and Dennis Lillee AM MBE. Credit: Fairfax Media
