Aussies' beautiful tribute to Rod Marsh after trumping West Indies
The Australian players paid a stirring tribute to Rod Marsh after hammering the West Indies in Adelaide on Sunday, gathering to belt out the team's victory song at the site dedicated to the cricket legend ahead of the Test.
Barefoot, wearing their baggy greens and linking arms, the players formed a circled around the Rod Marsh Spirit of Cricket Wattle Meeting Place and, led by Nathan Lyon, sang with gusto Underneath the Southern Cross I Stand.
Singing the victory song instituted by Marsh in the 1970s was a touching way to honour the Australian cricket icon, who died of a heart attack in March at the age of 74.
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Kerry O'Keeffe, a former teammate of Marsh, was thrilled with the installation of the memorial.
"I couldn't think of a better tribute to the great man," O'Keeffe said on Fox Cricket.
"His passing was one of the saddest days of my life; I lost a mentor and I lost a friend.
"He was something special."
Adam Gilchrist, who idolised Marsh as a kid and eventually overtook his Test wicketkeeping dismissals tally, said the establishment of the site made for a "wonderful moment".
"The cricketing world lost a great friend in Rod Marsh earlier in the year," Gilchrist said.
"It's a wonderful memorial, the spirit of cricket Rod Marsh memorial that's out the back of the members' stand.
The Australian players gathered to pay a beautiful tribute to Rod Marsh after trouncing the West Indies in Adelaide on Sunday. Twitter
"What a tribute to a man that epitomised the spirit of cricket.
"The wattle down there below, inscribed on the walkway the Aussie team song. Some iron gloves — that's what he was nicknamed.
"He taught a lot of the world how to keep wicket and how to uphold the values of the spirit of the game, Rodney William Marsh."
Alex Carey matched a feat achieved by Marsh during Australia's 419-run win over the West Indies in Adelaide, becoming one of five Australian wicketkeepers to have registered six dismissals in a Test innings.
Wally Grout (1957), Marsh (1982), Ian Healy (1997), Brad Haddin (2014) and Carey now share the Australian record.
Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh died of a heart attack in March at the age of 74. Fairfax Media
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