Australia PM Scott Morrison leads tributes for 'childhood hero' Rod Marsh

Wicket-keeper Rod Marsh retired in 1984 with a world record tally of 355 dismissals behind the stumps. Marsh died on Friday (March 4).

Australian cricket was in mourning on Friday following the death of Rod Marsh, with tributes for the former wicketkeeper by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and from across the cricketing community. Marsh, who played 96 Tests and 92 one-day internationals in the 1970s and 1980s, was 74 and died in Adelaide after a heart attack while on his way to a charity event in Bundaberg in Queensland on February 24.

"Very sad to hear of the passing of Rod Marsh, As a kid he was my favourite player. He was part of one of the most exciting eras in Australian and world cricket. He will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest ever Test cricket players." Morrison wrote on Twitter.  

Very sad to hear of the passing of Rod Marsh. As a kid he was my favourite player. He was part of one of the most exciting eras in Australian and world cricket. He will be remembered as one of Australia’s greatest ever Test cricket players. pic.twitter.com/SvRhe2u2z9

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 4, 2022

Regarded as one of Australia's finest wicketkeepers, Marsh retired in 1984 with a then-world record tally of 355 dismissals. He is fourth on the all-time dismissals list behind South Africa's Mark Boucher (555) and Australians Adam Gilchrist (416) and Ian Healy (395).