Australian Test legend Rod Marsh has been remembered during an emotional service on Thursday.
The wicketkeeping great was promoting a Masters cricket tournament in Bundaberg, Queensland, when he suffered a heart attack about two weeks ago.
He was flown to Adelaide where he died aged 74 on March 4.
A touching funeral service was held in the Magarey Room at Adelaide Oval on Thursday where about 800 people attended to pay their respects.
Cricketing legends, including Dennis Lillee, Adam Gilchrist, Bruce Laird and John Inverarity were among those who delivered eulogies.
Australian media personality James Brayshaw hosted the service.
While sitting on the plane on his way to Adelaide, he said he tried to think of anyone who crammed as much into 74 years as Marsh did, but gave up after 10 minutes.
“Not only a brilliant cricketer, he was an even better teammate,” Mr Brayshaw said.
“We are here to celebrate a life lived to the fullest.
“He absolutely loved a game of golf … He loved his mates and red wine, but it wasn’t always in that order.”
Graham Marsh was emotional as he shared his memories of his brother, telling the crowd he remembered playing cricket and golf together when they were children growing up south of Perth.
“Rod couldn't get enough. He would throw himself at any ball that came near him,” he said.
Mr Marsh teared up as he retold a story when he was picked on by a bully and his younger brother came to protect him.
“I learnt two valuable lessons that day: I always wanted to be on his team. Secondly he’d do anything to protect his family.
“He was a passionate golfer … but I always remember my brother for his devotion, loyalty (and) love of his family and friends.
“They say younger brothers often walk in the shadow of their older brothers. But baby brother, it’s been an honour to walk in your shadow.”
Marsh’s eldest son Paul read some of the hundreds of messages his family had received about his father, who was dubbed “the finest role model” and a “genuine and caring human being”.
He made the crowd laugh by saying his father was “a f**king legend” then saying: “mum said I could swear”.
“Words could never do justice for how much respect, gratitude and appreciation I have for what Rod did for me and taught me about cricket and about life,” Paul said as he read another message.
“It’s been an incredibly tough and emotional few weeks for our family but the two overriding emotions I have are pride and gratitude.
xjmtzyw“He was a work-hard, play-hard person and he parted this on all of us as well as the cricketers he coached.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the time we had together, the fun we had, the support during the tough times, the opportunities he gave us and the values and character he imparted on us as people.”
Paul said Marsh was a “fantastic” father, grandfather and husband.
“Dad was a hero to many. He’s always been mine and he always will be. Love you, mate.”
The ceremony ended with a slide show of images of Marsh with his family, friends and colleagues.
Marsh played as a wicketkeeper for the Australian national team with a Test career spanning 1970–84.
