PAK vs AUS: Here's why Australian cricketers are wearing black armbands in first Test

Pakistan are hosting Australia in the ongoing first Test match at the Rawalpindi Stadium. This historic clash holds great significance as the Aussies are touring the sub-continental nation for the first time since 1998. Hence, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would want this series to be conducted smoothly. Meanwhile, Australian players are seen sporting black arm bands in the game in order to mark respect to the late Rod Marsh.

One of the finest wicketkeepers to have graced the game, Marsh breathed his last on Friday (March 4) and condolence messages poured in from different corners. He suffered a heart attack midway through an event last week and was subsequently rushed to a Queensland hospital. Unfortunately, his condition never got better as he eventually passed away at the age of 74.

Rod Marsh – One of the greatest servants of Australian cricket

Notably, Marsh was one of the most influential personalities in world cricket. Having represented Australia between 1970 and 1984, the left-handed batter scored over 4,500 runs at the international arena. In fact, his tally of 355 Test dismissals was the most by a wicketkeeper at the time of his retirement. He also served Australia in the administrative department.

He had heated Australia’s cricket academy where young players were nurtured. In 2014, he became Australia’s chairman of selectors, a position he held for two years. Calling Marsh a colossal figure, Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins remembered the great on the eve of the game.

“Rod was a colossal figure in Australian cricket who gave close to 50 years of incredible service to Australian cricket, from his debut in the Ashes series of 1970-71, through to his time as National Selector, when many of the current group of Australian men’s players came into close contact with him,” Cummins said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan won the toss in the crucial game and unsurprisingly, opted to bat first. Interestingly, the Aussies have gone with three fast bowlers with Nathan Lyon being the only spin-bowling option.