The Inside Edge

by Rod Marsh

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1984

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

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any true Australian Cricket fan is going through a tough time at the moment, with the demise of Shane Warne and Rodney Marsh. As someone who grew up in the 70s, the demise of Marsh, at this stage, has hit me more than the demise of Warne. Like many my age, my heroes could be summed up in three names - Lillee, Marsh and Chappell. Greg Chappell had the grace, Lillee had the menace, and Marsh was the everyman: there was no doubt of his skill, but he seemed like one of us...he looked like your mate's Dad.

But in every way he wasn't like your mate's Dad - he was, for quite a few years, the embodiment of Australia. He was such a presence, then and later in his career when he moved into coaching, that it's hard to believe he's gone. The Inside Edge, written just after the 1982-83 season, is a collection of Rodney's thoughts on the recently completed tour of Pakistan, the victorious Ashes series, and views on players and fans, all delivered in Rodney's no-nonsense style.

He pulled no punches in deploring crowd behaviour, especially at the WACA, where Terry Alderman busted his shoulder tackling an errant spectator. Neither was he backward in airing his views on the up-and-coming Australian players. He loved what he saw of an emerging Geoff Lawson, and the renewed vigor of Rodney Hogg and David Hookes.

He reiterates the true grit and never-say-die attitude of his great friend Dennis Lillee, and he admires the grace under fire of Bob Willis, and tells us that not only did he not see a ball of the great Border-Thomson partnership that nearly won us the Melbourne Test, but also that he was drunk for the lot of it!

Not only is The Inside Edge a reminder of Rod Marsh's longevity, skill and sense of humour, but also reminds us of a great period in cricket, and some of the lesser lights. Reading it made me smile, and helped ease the pain of the loss of one of Australia's greats. RIP Bacchus.

Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/

[Neil Saltmarsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book published in 1983, would not get written in 2025 because sportspeople these days are so media trained that you can not get a true picture of what they truly think. This has had an effect of a homogeneous reportage. Because of this Rodney Marsh is a breath of fresh air. His views are those of Australians of that era. Sometimes, he has put his foot squarely in it, but equally he honestly reviews and sometimes reverses his opinion. Towards the end you can get a sense that the ACB is starting to crack down on players expressing their honest opinions. It is a great window into the 1982 cricket season.

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, and having to rack my brains to remember the 1982/83 cricket season (not successfully!), but I enjoyed reading about the magnificent players of that era. Rod Marsh wrote well and in a humorous manner, so a very enjoyable read.

[Marco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not likely to captivate the reader with a sense of wonder, but a good book nonetheless. Collectors should enjoy this one.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book as a teenager.