He was a top bloke – John Lever recalls Rod Marsh escapades in Australia Tests

Former England paceman John Lever will remember Rod Marsh for his warm personality as well as his brilliance on the field.

Marsh, one of Australia’s great wicketkeepers, died on Friday at the age of 74.

Marsh made 96 Test appearances from 1970-84 and ended his career with a then-record 355 dismissals to his name. He also scored three centuries and 16 fifties.

The start to his Test career was a rocky one but he worked hard on his deficiencies to become one of the very best while his character always shone through.

Lever, who faced Marsh’s Australia in the 1977 Centenary Test in Melbourne as well as the Ashes of that year, told the PA news agency: “Apart from going from being ‘Iron Gloves’ to being one of their best keepers and such a dangerous batter, he was a hell of a nice guy, he really was.

“We used to mingle more with the opposition than they perhaps do now. You’d have a drink in the changing room afterwards and ‘Nugget’ would be sitting there having a beer and taking the mickey. He was just a really top guy.

“He had everything. He was a good sportsman and a good cricketer. He got on well with everyone.

“Look at the jobs he later had. He was in charge over here with our juniors – you don’t get those sort of jobs if you are an abrasive Australian who can’t put two words together. He was a top bloke. We will miss him.”

Lever remembers how a quick-witted Marsh provided him with some light-hearted relief amid the heat and pressure of facing Dennis Lillee in that Centenary Test.

“It was my first trip to Australia and I was very green still,” said Lever, 73. “I was batting with ‘Knotty’ (Alan Knott) and we’d put on a few runs – he’d scored them, I didn’t get any.

“Lillee kept bowling these leg-cutters and I kept playing