Sports commentator and Aussie legend Max Walker has passed away as confirmed by Channel Nine.
Affectionately known as ‘Tangles’ and ‘Tang’, Walker was the first sportsman to take the traditional sportsman code from strictly playing Cricket, to commentating matches in the homes of Australia. And he did so in a charismatic way.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Hobart native played a total of 85 games with the Demons in Melbourne between 1967-72 before his cricket career soared. In 34 Tests between 1972-77 Walker took 138 wickets at 27.27 and scored 586 runs at 19.53, including an undefeated 78 off 84 balls in his final Test innings at The Oval in August, 1977.
While he was known for his sporting talents, Walker was also a literary success. The author had 14 books to his name, seven of which were number one sellers. In his time, Walker recorded a staggering sales figure in excess of 1,000,000 which places him among the highest ranks of Australian writers.
Tributes from the cricket community have been flooding in on social media.
Aussie spin bowler Nathan Lyon's tweeted, "Sad to hear of the passing of baggy green player #263 Max Walker! Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends! RIP!"
In 2011 Walker was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia his service to cricket and to the community through his tireless efforts with youth and social welfare organisations.
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