Rod Marsh leaves for the heavenly abode.
Here's a little story about the man.
It's the Centenary Test of 1977, easily the most celebrated match between the two sides in the 20th century, and England are in pursuit of a massive target of 463 in the 4th innings. But Derek Randall is playing the knock of his life and seems to be on his way to pull off the most incredible heist Test cricket has known.
He was on 161 and England on 300 odd for 4 when there was a caught behind appeal. Marsh had to dive forward and he seemed to have caught it and umpire Tom Brooks also thought the same when Marsh's teammates appealed vociferously. As Randall was walking back, Captain Greg Chapell realised that Marsh wasn't happy. He told his captain, It wasn't out. He didn't hit it. Chappell replied, ‘That’s not our problem, Tommy’s given it out.’
But then Marsh said ‘It didn’t carry.’ Chappell replied, ‘Ah, then that is our problem.’
He went up to Randall to reinstate him to the pitch.
Randall got out for 174. Australia won the match by 45 runs. Chappell got a handwritten letter from Wally Hadlee, the father of Dale and Richard, who said it was the most sporting thing he’d ever seen on a cricket field. He also wrote, ‘Neither you nor Rod will have any regrets, for you have placed the game above winning.’
Marsh was on 96 Tests when he retired in the same match that was also the last Test of two men he had played most of his cricket with - Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee. Dean Jones wrote in his book that when a young Allan Border, perplexed by Marsh's decision to retire so close to a milestone that so many crave for, asked him why did he retire, Marsh simply quipped, "Because my mates have retired."
Wonder how his mates must be feeling today. 95 batsmen were dismissed 'c Marsh b Lillee' in Test cricket - a record that still stands today.
Go well, Rod Marsh.
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