Australia’s Rod Marsh Remains In Medically Induced Coma Fighting For His Life, Says Aussie Cricket Great’s Family

Legendary Australian cricketer Rod Marsh is in the fight of his life as he remains in an induced coma, a family statement stated on Sunday. Marsh, 74, had suffered a heart attack last week and has been in the Bundaberg Hospital in Queensland for care.

Marsh, who played 96 Tests and 92 ODIs for Australia between 1970 and 1984, had a heart attack when being driven in a car to a hotel in Bundaberg soon after landing in the city in northern Queensland state, as he was in Bundaberg for a charity cricket match for Bulls Masters, a local non-profit organization.

Bulls Masters boss Jimmy Maher stated that two officials who were in the car with Marsh drove him straight to the Bundaberg hospital.

Regarded as one of Australia’s finest wicketkeepers, Marsh retired in 1984 with a then-world record tally of 355 dismissals. He is third on Australia’s all-time dismissals list behind Adam Gilchrist (416) and Ian Healy (395).

Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley wished the best for the legendary cricketer and said: “We are very concerned to hear the news about Rod and send him all our best wishes.

“Our thoughts are with him, his wife Ros and their family and many friends at this difficult time. Rod is one of the most iconic and popular figures in the game and we thank and acknowledge those who are looking after him.”

At The Moment This Is A Waiting Game And We Are Unlikely To Have Any Certainty For Some Time: Rod Marsh’s Family Releases Statement

Rod Marsh remains in a medically induced coma and his son Paul said that it will take some time for the scope of recovery to become clearer. He also released a statement on behalf of the family, giving an update on the legendary cricketer’s health and well-being.

“On behalf of my mother Ros and brothers Dan and Jamie, I wanted to provide an update on Dad’s condition. He is currently in the fight of his life and remains in an induced coma in critical condition. At the moment this is a waiting game and we are unlikely to have any certainty for some time.

“We know there is a lot of interest in Dad’s condition and our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support from all around the world. We have listened to and read every one of them and we are incredibly grateful to everyone,” stated an official statement.

Further in the statement, he thanked the Bulls Masters team including CEO Jimmy Maher and other cricketers like Darren Lehmann, Ian Healy, and Allan Border. The thank-you note also included the Australian Cricketers’ Association for their assistance.

“We also want to thank the Bulls Masters team, and in particular Jimmy Maher, Darren Lehmann, Ian Healy and Allan Border, whose love and care for our family has been extraordinary.

“The team at the Australian Cricketers’ Association have also been incredible and we’d like to thank Todd Greenberg, Kelly Applebee and Justine Whipper for their support. We’d also like to thank the ICU team at Bundaberg Hospital for their outstanding care and support,” he added.

Marsh was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009. He is also credited for making the framework and working with the BCCI to form the National Cricket Academy in 2000.

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