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Former Test cricketer Max Walker dead at 68

Jon Pierik

Max Walker, one of Australian sport's larger-than-life characters in his heyday as a cricketer and raconteur, has died aged 68 of melanoma.

Walker died from cancer, Cricket Australia said.

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Max Walker dead at 68

Equally comfortable on the cricket pitch or with a Sherrin, one of Australia's best known larrikins, Max Walker, has died of cancer aged 68.

The larrikin from Hobart, Tasmania, with the famous handlebar moustache and indomitable spirit, was a hard-nosed fast bowler in 34 Tests between 1972 and 1977, taking 138 wickets at 27.47, including six five-wicket hauls. He also played in 17 one-day internationals.

Larrikin legend: Max Walker appeals during a Test against the West Indies in 1977.
Larrikin legend: Max Walker appeals during a Test against the West Indies in 1977. 

He was the first Tasmanian to be picked for a Test since C.L. Badcock in 1936.

He had earlier played 93 Australian rules matches in six years with the Melbourne Football Club - but cricket won his heart.

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Nicknamed "Tangles" because of his wrong-footed action, Walker gave more than strong support to frontline quicks Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, but was also capable of leading the attack himself, as he did in the sixth Test of the 1974-75 Ashes series when he claimed 8-143.

Cricket Australia chief executive, James Sutherland, said Walker would be sadly missed.

Ken Sutcliffe, left, and Max Walker present Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports in 1989.
Ken Sutcliffe, left, and Max Walker present Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports in 1989.  Photo: SIMON ALEKNA

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

"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.

Max Walker attempts to sweep New South Wales bowler David Hourn during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG in 1976.
Max Walker attempts to sweep New South Wales bowler David Hourn during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG in 1976. Photo: A Purcell

"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.

"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."

Cricket great Max Walker.
Cricket great Max Walker. Photo: Stephen Lightfoot

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide described Walker as "a gentleman of his era".

"Max was a positive and jovial character and devoted much of his life to playing and serving the game, during what many would call a revolutionary period for cricket. At the completion of his playing career, Max charmed many on our TV screens as he built his career in the entertainment industry," Dodemaide said.

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Cricket legend Max Walker dies at 68

"Max was able to be part of some moments that will be cherished forever in cricket history and will continue to inspire future generations."

The ABC cricket book of Australia's tour of England in 1977 encapsulated his career, saying: "No captain would want for a better performer in the attack, taking into account ability, motive, a never give in approach, stamina and purpose than Max Walker." 

Max Walker in 1979.
Max Walker in 1979. Photo: Fairfax Media

After retiring following World Series Cricket, Walker appeared on the ABC, 3AK and 2UE radio commentary teams and, after a stint at Channel Seven, joined Channel Nine.

A trained architect, he featured on the network's cricket commentary between 1986 and 1991 and was parodied by satirist Billy Birmingham in The Twelfth Man series. He also presented the nightly news sports bulletin alongside host Brian Naylor.

He later hosted Nine's The Sunday Footy Show from 1993 until 1998, Nine's Wide World of Sports program until it ended in 1999 and became an in-demand guest speaker best known for his outrageous stories.

Walker also became a successful author, releasing 14 books, including light-hearted contributions, The Wit of Walker, How to Kiss a Crocodile and How to Puzzle a Python.

In his 1976 autobiography Tangles, written with Neill Phillipson, Walker was described as "a fascinating sportsman whose sense of perspective is reinforced by a great, native Australian humour".

Former Australian captain and secretary of the MCG Ian Johnson said he was an "ornament" to the game.

Johnson told the tale of a young Walker who crossed from Hobart to the Melbourne Cricket Club with a reputation as a batsman, having thumped a century as an opener for the Tasmanian Colts. He was also given the new ball and it quickly became apparent what his real strength was.

Johnson also recalled Walker's 6-15 off 16 overs in the second innings of his second Test, against Pakistan at the SCG in 1973, with the tourists needing a modest 159 runs to win.

On the following tour of the Caribbean, Walker, amid criticism of his selection, claimed a record 26 wickets at 20.73 in a series when Australia, under skipper Ian Chappell, lost spearheads Lillee and Bob Massie early to injury and illness, but still prevailed 2-0.

Legendary commentator Alan McGilvray wrote: "One of the most courageous efforts I have seen in cricket came after I watched Max Walker tip-toe across the foyer of a hotel to post a letter prior to leaving for the ground to start the fourth Test at Guyana. I questioned him about his limping and he showed me the backs of his ankles and legs and they were so dreadfully bruised that he was unable to put his heels to ground. I said to him: 'You are surely not playing today?' to which came the quiet comment: 'Dennis and Bob can't, so I must.'

"At the ground he stuffed masses of foam rubber into his boots, laced them up, and simply said: 'That'll do,' and then proceeded to bowl 38 overs in the first innings, 23 in the second, to take five wickets and a magnificent running catch at fine leg."

Walker added: "The one thing I had recognised fairly early in my bowling career was that I simply didn't have the pace to be a truly fast bowler. This in turn gave me the incentive to concentrate and practise on achieving control and accuracy."

Upon his return to Australia, Walker informed Demons coach Ian Ridley and secretary Jim Cardwell that his career in the VFL was over.

Among the highlights of his career, he featured in the 1977 Centenary Test at the MCG, and after playing was also be known for the television commercials with the catch phrase: "Have a good weekend, Mr Walker."

Walker was always prepared to see the funny side of life - and himself - and once described in typical jest how West Indian greats Viv Richards and Joel Garner were so desperate to empty their bladders they stopped their car on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Walker described himself as a "two-metre tangle of not so terrifically co-ordinated arms and legs".

In How to Kiss a Crocodile, he also aptly summed up "contemporary sport" as having "so much hype, gobbledegook or just plain bulldust rammed down the throat of potential champions I really feel for them. It must be almost as difficult as being a 'sifter' in Bart Cummings' stable - sifting the chaff from the horse dung."

Walker finished his autobiography simply: "One thing is certain. Cricket has given me a great deal of pleasure and a host of happy memories. Who could ask for anything more?"

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