Cricket legend Marsh suffers heart attack
Oliver Caffrey |
Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh is in a Queensland hospital after suffering a serious heart attack.
The former wicketkeeper was in Bundaberg for an event for the Bulls Masters charity group.
Marsh was rushed to hospital by Bulls Masters organisers John Glanville and David Hillier after falling ill in a car on Thursday.
The 74-year-old will soon be joined in Bundaberg by his family, who are rushing to the regional Queensland town to be by his side.
“John and Dave deserve so much credit because the doctor said if they had waited for an ambulance he would not have made it,” Bulls Masters boss Jimmy Maher told News Corp.
“Rod landed at 10.05am and rang me from the car at about 10.30.
“He said he could not wait to have a beer with me.
“Then soon (after) Dave rang me from the car and told me what had happened. It’s devastating.”
Marsh played 96 Tests for Australia between 1970 and 1984, snaring 355 dismissals behind the stumps.
The 74-year-old also previously served as Australia’s chairman of selectors before stepping down in 2016.
“We are very concerned to hear the news about Rod and send him all our best wishes,” Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said.
“Our thoughts are with him, his wife Ros and their family and many friends at this difficult time.
“Rod is one of the most iconic and popular figures in the game and we thank and acknowledge those who are looking after him.”
Marsh is one of the finest cricketers to ever come out of Perth and Western Australian Cricket Association boss Christina Matthews paid tribute to him.
“We’re deeply concerned to hear of Rod Marsh’s medical emergency after suffering a major heart attack,” she said.
“On behalf of WA Cricket staff and players, and the wider cricket community, I would like to pass on our heartfelt thoughts to Rod and his family.
“He’s a much-loved husband and father, and remains one of the wicket-keeping greats of our game.
“We hope he’s able to make a full and speedy recovery.”
AAP
