Former Australia fast bowler Max Walker has died…

Former Australia fast bowler Max Walker has died, aged 68, following a battle with cancer.

A strapping fast-bowler who played 34 Tests and 17 one-day internationals for Australia, Walker was also a key figure in the introduction of World Series Cricket in the late 1970s.

The 263rd man to wear the Baggy Green, Walker claimed 138 Test wickets and 20 in one-dayers between 1973 and 1981, including 12 wickets in his first two Tests and a career-best figures of 8-143 against England at his beloved MCG in 1975.

He is best remembered for his unique bowling action, which earned him the nickname ‘Tangles’, while he forged a strong career in the media following his playing days.

A highly-popular author and public speaker, Walker was also a member of Channel Nine’s iconic Wide World of Sports commentary team.

“Max was an outstanding cricketer who played an important role in the emergence of successful Australian cricket teams in the 1970s,” said Cricket Australia CEO James Suitherland.

“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.

“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.

“He was a great character, with a big smile and positive approach to life. He will be sadly missed.