In Australia’s first tour to Pakistan since 1998, both sides are set to play a significant amount of cricket against each other. Over a period of a month, the sides will be playing 3 Tests, 3 ODIs, and a T20I. Currently, the 1st PAK vs AUS test is underway in Rawalpindi. The Australian side is seen wearing black armbands, and here’s the reason why.
Former Australian Wicket-keeper and an explosive batsman, Rod Marsh, passed away on Friday morning at the age of 74. The Australian side is hence sporting the black armbands to mourn the demise of Rod Marsh. Marsh featured in 96 Test matches for Australia and scored 3633 runs at an average of 26.5 which included three centuries. By the end of his career, he had registered 355 dismissals in test cricket which was a world record at that particular time. Marsh also played 92 ODIs where he scored 1225 runs at an average of 20.08 and registered 124 dismissals.
Apart from the many batting partnerships in which Marsh was involved, his partnership with legendary fast bowler Dennis Lillee is the most interesting partnership he had. With ‘caught Marsh, bowled Lillee’ recorded 95 times, Rod Marsh and Dennis Lille is the most successful bowler-wicketkeeper pair in Test history to date.
“I grew up hearing the stories of him as a fearless cricketer” – Pat Cummins
Australian Captain, Pat Cummins, ahead of the start of the play today at Rawalpindi, spoke about the unfortunate demise of the Australian great Rod Marsh. Cummins spoke about Rod Marsh’s incredible service to Australian Cricket and about how he was a colossal figure to cricket lovers.
“I, along with countless other people in Australia, grew up hearing the stories of him as a fearless & tough cricketer. His swashbuckling batting and his brilliance behind the stumps over more than a decade made him one of the all-time greats of our sport, not just in Australia, but globally,” Cummins said.
Cricket Australia Chairman, Dr. Lachlan Henderson, termed the day as a ‘tremendously sad day for Australian cricket. He said that Rod will forever be remembered for the way he played the game.
Pakistan in the driving seat at the end of Day 1
Talking about the ongoing 1st test between Pakistan and Australia, the hosts have ended Day 1 on a high. Pakistan has posted 238 runs on the board already at the loss of just one wicket. Imam-ul-Haq is batting on 129 with Azhar Ali (62) and both are looking good to turn Pakistan’s total into a massive one. The Australian bowlers toiled hard on Day 1 but could only manage a single wicket which came on the bowling of the spinner Nathan Lyon.