Max Walker 1948-2016 by Cricket Australia

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Player:

MHN Walker

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DateLine: 28th September 2016

 

Cricket Australia has today paid tribute to Australian Cricketer Max Walker, who has passed away following a battle with cancer.

 

Born 12 September 1948 in West Hobart, Walker made his debut for Australia in 1972 against Pakistan at the MCG. Walker played 34 Tests for Australia between 1972-73 and 1977 claiming 138 wickets, including six five-wicket hauls, at an average of 27.47. He produced career-best figures of 8-143 in the sixth Test of the 1974-75 Ashes Series.

 

Walker played 135 First Class games, 70 of those for Victoria, claiming 499 wickets with 21 five-wicket hauls, at an average of 26.47.

 

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Sutherland said:

 

“Max was an outstanding cricketer who played an important role in the emergence of successful Australian cricket teams in the 1970s.

 

“It was a golden era of Test Cricket under the captaincy of Ian and Greg Chappell, and Max's medium fast bowling and his unmistakeable bowling action were a feature of those teams, and then in the late 1970s when he joined World Series Cricket.

 

“The cricket world will be deeply saddened to hear of Max’s sudden passing. As a cricketer, with ball or bat in hand, Max was always fiercely competitive. He was a genuine crowd favourite wherever he played - and nowhere more so than at his beloved MCG, where he had also played senior football prior to his Test debut.

 

Beyond his playing days, Max continued his involvement in the game through television, as a commentator and anchor on Nine's Wide World of Sports. Amongst many other pursuits, he was also a prolific author.

 

“On behalf of everyone at Cricket Australia our deepest sympathies go out to Max’s family, friends and all those in cricket who had the pleasure of dealing with him. He was a great character, with a big smile and positive approach to life. He will be sadly missed,” concluded Mr Sutherland.

 

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2016 Cricket Australia)