Rod Marsh

by Rod Marsh

Illustrated autobiography of Rod Marsh Australian Wicketkeeper.

Genres: Australia, Autobiography

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2018

About the author

Rodney William Marsh MBE was a former Australian wicketkeeper.

A colourful character, Marsh had a Test career spanning from the 1970–71 to the 1983–84 Australian season. In 96 Tests, he set a world record of 355 wicketkeeping dismissals, the same number his pace bowling Western Australian team-mate Dennis Lillee managed with the ball. The pair were known for their bowler-wicketkeeper partnership, which yielded 95 Test wickets, a record for any such combination, and made their debuts and retired together. Wisden stated that "Few partnerships between bowler and wicket-keeper have had so profound an impact on the game."

Marsh had a controversial start to his Test career, selected on account of his batting abilities. Sections of the media lampooned Marsh's glovework, dubbing him "Iron Gloves" after sloppy catching in his debut Test. His keeping improved over time; by the end of his career, he was regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers in the history of the sport. He was widely regarded for his sense of team discipline, in particular after Bill Lawry controversially declared the Australian first innings closed in the Fifth Test of the 1970–71 series at the MCG, with Marsh just eight runs short of a century. Greg Chappell said he was one of only two players he knew who would kill to get into the Australian Test team, the other being Ian Redpath.

Reviews

[Michael Seselja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mainly just a bunch of anecdotes (admittedly some entertaining) strung together rather than a proper biography. But I never really appreciated how influential Rod Marsh was on the last few decades of Australian cricket until I read this, and it definitely made for some enjoyable light reading while watching the cricket.

[Jim Rimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I learnt of Rod's passing it was like I'd lost a piece of my childhood. He'd always been my favourite cricketer (and probably only runner up to Ali among sport more generally). There was something incredibly likeable about his pugnacious competitiveness. Bacchus seemed to define a golden era of Australian cricket, often successful but always full of spirit.

This is a lighter read, filled with great photos and testimonials, dollops of humour, and very well produced. March's Ten Commandments are especially valuable, and not just for sportz hedz.

All that said, I still can't forgive his defection to the ECB.

While Rod's passing might have been overshadowed by that of a limelight stealing muppet, his contributions and legacy with live on.

[Mick Maye · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a pictorial account of his left with anecdotes from his friends and himself. A little disappointing as it appears a reasonable size book but in the end fairly brief.