Former Australian cricketer, commentator passes away

Canberra: Former Australian cricketer Keith Stackpole has died at the age of 84.

Former Australian opening batsman Keith Stackpole, who hailed from Victoria, played 43 Test matches for Australia between 1966 and 1974.

The right-handed opener scored 2,807 runs in 43 Test matches at an average of 37.42, including 7 centuries.

Keith Stackpole also played in the first ever One Day International (ODI) against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1971, where he took three wickets with leg-spin bowling.

He scored 224 runs in 6 One-Day Internationals.

Stackpole is best remembered for his memorable knock of 207 against England at the Gabba in the 1970-71 Ashes series.

He was also the top scorer in the 1972 Ashes series as the Australian vice-captain with 485 runs.

After retiring from cricket, Stackpole also did prominent radio and TV commentary work.

Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird expressed his sadness at his death and said that Stackpole's services to cricket will be long remembered.