This week has been a sad one for cricket lovers the world over. The demise of three legendary cricketers - Shane Warne, Rodney Marsh and Sonny Ramadhin - during the course of past seven days stunned the followers of the game. While Ramadhin, who was into his nineties, was not keeping good health and Marsh, aged 74, suffered a massive heart attack a few days ago, Warne was only 52 and in good physical condition when he left to meet with the Maker. Hence it was the news of Warne’s departure that created the maximum shock across the cricketing world.
Adjectives sat easy on Warne. A magician with the cricket ball in hand, the greatest leg-spinner of all time, cricketing genius etc are just some of them. It is not in dispute that he revived the dying art of leg-spin bowling and promoted it as a glamorous occupation. His bowling was simple and uncomplicated - a short run up, pinpoint accuracy, ability to control the extent of spin imparted to the ball, combined with all tricks of the trade such as googly and flipper, besides some new ones that he invented. He bowled with a large heart, never afraid to give the ball air nor to out the numerous weapons he had in his arsenal. He also had tremendous sense of occasion and could raise his skills by a notch or two during big ticket games. Warne cannot be judged merely by the 1,001 wickets (708 in Tests and 293 in limited overs games) that he scalped in international cricket. It was the sheer force of his magnetic personality, which invested him with powers of the divine each time he stepped on to the cricket, field that made him different from his compatriots.
Warne made news not only for his achievements on the field but for his activities off it as well. He was a delight for the tabloids as he courted controversies with undisguised relish. A self confessed skirt chaser, discretion was never his forte and amorous relationships with the fairer sex cost him his marriage. Along the way he dated some of the most beautiful women on this planet while simultaneously being caught on the camera in semi nude state with certain unsavoury types that prowl the streets as well. He confessed to taking money from a bookie, which brought a minor punishment. He was sent back from the 2003 World Cup for taking banned pills that helped to reduce his weight. His bohemian lifestyle cost him the captaincy of Australian side, which he was tipped to take over from Steve Waugh. There is no doubt that he would have made an excellent skipper, as was shown by him when he led an inexperienced Rajasthan Royals side to championship win in the inaugural edition of the India Premier League (IPL).
His sudden death in mysterious circumstances, while on a holiday in Thailand, brought an abrupt end to the life of the most colourful cricketers of his generation. He was a high flyer, who flew through life and flew out of it.
Marsh was arguably the best wicketkeeper to fast bowlers that world has seen. Comparisons are odious especially when it involves the art of wicketkeeping where a lot depends on the type of bowlers in the side and the nature of pitches where the game is played. But during the 1970s and early 80s when Test cricket ruled the roost and limited overs matches were gaining in popularity at a slow pace, his keeping to quick bowlers was as near to perfection as could be. As Ian Chappell, his captain till 1975, wrote, “the distance that he covered behind the stumps was amazing”. The proof for this was the catch that he took to dismiss Tony Greig in the semifinals of the 1975 World Cup. Greig edged an outswinger from Gary Gilmour and the ball was travelling to the right of the elder Chappell standing at first slip. But Marsh dived full length in a flash and snapped it up before Chappell could even move an inch!
It would appear surprising that Marsh, who developed a reputation for seldom dropping a ball let alone a catch, was nicknamed “Iron Gloves” after he missed a couple of edges on his Test debut. He was drafted into the side at the start of the Ashes series in Australia in 1970-71, replacing the popular Brian Taber a fact that did not make him a favourite with the other members of the team. But he soon found his groove at the highest level and struck an excellent partnership with another player, a fast bowler named Dennis Lillee, who made his entry into international cricket during the last Test of the same series. The combination “caught Marsh bowled Lillee” went on become recorded 95 times in the score books in Test matches, which itself is an unique record, not bettered by any other bowler-stumper combination.
The prowess of Marsh as a wicketkeeper reached its peak during the period from 1974 to 1976 when Jeff Thomson and Lillee led the Aussie attack. Those who have faced Thomson reckon that he was the fastest bowler of his generation while Lillee chose to focus on line, length, swing and cut to harry the batsmen after his comeback from a career threatening spine injury. The two were lent an edge by the presence of Marsh behind the stumps as he flew around in an arc with a radius of almost 30 metres pouching even the most difficult of catches. His side ways movement, which was a combination of superb anticipation and brilliant athleticism, stood him in good stead during matches in England where the lateral deviation of ball in the air and off the wicket made life difficult for the keepers.
Like Warne, Marsh was overlooked for captaincy, which remained a matter of great disappointment for him. He possessed a sharp intellect, which made him an asset for the captain, as he never shied from giving his opinion either about the bowlers or the pitch. But his involvement with Kerry Packer-sponsored World Series Cricket (WSC) made him unpopular with the cricket establishment in Australia. When Greg Chappell announced that he was not available for Test matches abroad in 1981, the selectors favoured Kim Hughes to lead the national side. Neither Marsh nor Lillee hid their disappointment though they played under Hughes. The two also ended their career together, after the series against Pakistan, in January 1984, which also marked the final Test of Greg Chappell.
After his playing days, Marsh turned to coaching after a short stint in the commentary box. He worked as a coach with the Australian Cricket Academy, England Wales Cricket Board Academy and as a consultant with the South African Cricket Board as well. He also had a stint as coach for coaches before being appointed as a selector. He was appointed as Chairman of selectors in February, 2014, and held that position till November, 2016, when he tendered his resignation after a bad defeat at the hands of South Africa.
Ramadhin was the first player of Indian origin to play for the West Indies. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, he had played only two first- class matches when he was selected as a member of the West Indies side for the tour of England in 1950. It would not be an exaggeration to state that this short, thinly built cricketer took England by storm, picking up 11 wickets conceding 152 runs in only his second Test, which was played at Lord’s. West Indies defeated England for the first time ever during this match and then proceeded to win the series 3-1. Ramadhin and his “spin twin” - left-arm bowler Alf Valentine - tied the England batsmen in knots, picking up 59 wickets between them in this series.
Ramadhin finished his Test career with a bag of 158 wickets from 43 Tests. He holds the unique record of bowling the most number of overs in an innings, which he did during the first Test of the series against England in 1957. His bowling figures in the second innings of this match read 98 overs - 35 maidens- 179 runs and 2 wickets! He could turn the ball either way and scarcely dished out a loose delivery. He always bowled with his shirt buttoned at the wrist and had the habit of keeping his cap on while turning his arm over. He moved to Lancashire, ,England after his active cricketing years and led a quiet life away from the spotlight till his death on February 27.
Cricket will indeed be poorer by the departure of these three titans. Rest in peace Warne, Marsh and Ramadhin; your exploits on the field will be remembered so long as the game is played.
(The author is a former international cricket umpire and a senior bureaucrat)
