MELBOURNE: Former Test opener Keith Stackpole, a key member of the Australia teams captained by Bill Lawry and Ian Chappell in the 1960s-70s, died of a suspected heart attack on Tuesday at the age of 84.
Stackpole played 43 tests and scored seven centuries from 1966-1974, forming one of Australia’s top opening combinations with Victoria teammate Lawry.
An aggressive shot-maker with a love for hooking fast bowlers, Stackpole topped the runs list during Australia’s successful tour of India in 1969 – the nation’s last series win in the subcontinent until 2004.
He made a career-best 207 against England at the Gabba in 1970 and often proved a thorn in the side of Australia’s Ashes rivals.
A handy leg-spin bowler, Stackpole played in the first-ever one-day international against England in 1971, taking 3-40 in the 40-over match to guide Australia to a five-wicket win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Named one of Wisden’s ‘Cricketers of the Year’ in 1973, Stackpole became a successful broadcaster after retiring from the game in 1974.
His death triggered tributes from former players and broadcasters on Wednesday.
“Very sad news indeed. Stacky was a fantastic cricketer but more so a great bloke and one hell of a cricket coach,” former Australia test bowler Merv Hughes wrote on X.
