Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Sunday that former Australia Test opener Ian Redpath had died at the age of 83.
Ian Redpath, the former Australia Test opener, died at the age of 83 on Sunday, according to Cricket Australia. Redpath was a mainstay in the Australian side during the 1960s and 1970s, and he is a member of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. Redpath, a Geelong native, played 66 Tests and scored 4737 runs at an average of 43.45, including eight hundreds and 31 half centuries, with a best score of 171. He took 83 receptions, the majority of which came in the slips, where he excelled.
He made his Test debut at the MCG in the second game of the 1963-64 series against South Africa, contributing 97 to a 219-run opening partnership with fellow Victorian Bill Lawry. Redpath’s first Test century, 132 against the West Indies at the SCG, did not arrive until 1969.
However, his patience and endurance had previously proven to be a reliable bulwark for some of the more outgoing members of the Australian team. His experience and leadership were recognised when he was appointed vice-captain of the Australian squad for the home series against England in 1974-75 and the series against the West Indies in 1975-76.”Ian was a much-loved and revered character, and everyone in Australian cricket will be devastated by his death. Ian, a good opening batter, was a staple of the national side during one of the finest eras of Australian cricket and was adored by many around the world for his courage, excellent sportsmanship, and caustic humour.””We were privileged to hear Ian speak of the amazing experiences and relationships cricket had offered when he was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2023, and his genuine love of the game was evident in his enormous contribution to cricket at the first-class and community levels. “The thoughts of everyone at Cricket Australia are with Ian’s family and many friends at this difficult time,” stated CA Chairman Mike Baird.
Redpath scored 14,993 runs for Victoria at an average of 41.99, including 32 centuries and 84 fifties in 226 first-class matches. Redpath remained an active contributor to first-class and community cricket, acting as Victorian men’s coach and in a variety of volunteer roles in his hometown, most notably with the Geelong Cricket Club.
Redpath, who also played five One-Day Internationals for Australia, was appointed to the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1975 for his contributions to cricket. He came out of international retirement to play in the World Series Cricket, but an injury limited his on-field performance, and he retired.
