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Rest in peace Max Walker, a legend on the field and off it

28th September, 2016
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Cricket legend Max Walker has passed away. (Image: Max Walker/Twitter)
Expert
28th September, 2016
19
1397 Reads

Most of the best batsmen in the world during the 1970s had trouble facing Australian fast-medium paceman Max Walker.

The vast majority of bowlers have fluid actions, allowing batsmen to clearly see the ball leave the hand.

Not with Max Walker.

In a flurry of his arms and legs at the bowling crease, it was very difficult to pick up Max’s delivery, rightfully earning him the nickname ‘Tangles’.

The bubbly personality with a beaming smile that would light up the room died this morning of cancer, aged 68.

He spent his early adult life becoming a highly-qualified architect, but it was cricket and, to a lesser extent, Aussie rules with Melbourne that dominated his playing career before embarking on a radio and television career that earned him rave reviews.

Max and Jeff Thomson debuted together against Pakistan in Adelaide in 1972.

In that side were two Chappells, Paul Sheahan, Ian Redpath, John Benaud, Rod Marsh, Kerry O’Keeffe, Ashley Mallett, and Dennis Lillee.

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Five years later at The Oval, Max called a halt to his Test career. His teammates were Greg Chappell, Rick McCosker, Craig Sergeant, Kim Hughes, Doug Walters, Rod Marsh, Ray Bright, Mick Malone, and Thommo.

During his 34 Tests he took 138 wickets at an average of 27.47 before joining Kerry Packer’s pro World Series Cricket for two years.

When peace was restored between Packer and the ICC, Max hung up his boots to start on his highly successful media career.

Whether on ABC radio with the doyen of cricket commentators Alan McGilvray, the Footy Show, the Channel Nine cricket commentary team, or the Wide World of Sports, Max was a natural.

And let’s not overlook the 14 books he penned that collectively sold over a million copies, nor the classic Tooheys 2.2 beer television ads with close mate Doug Walters which were hilarious.

But the best footage would have been on the cutting room floor after so many takes of two men with the most acute senses of humour among Australian Test cricketers.

Doug always reckoned the 2.2 was named after his batting average in England.

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Those ads were so typical of what made Max Walker tick. He was always looking on the bright side, and that smile him held in good stead for the many motivational and after dinner speeches which he provided. They were always around 45 minutes of sheer entertainment.

All those memories come flooding back.

The way I will always remember Max Walker was as a total servant of the game for every minute he spent on the field.

I will remember Max Walker for being the same outgoing, happy-go-lucky bloke, even after a hard day at the office.

It was the smile that typified Tangles.

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