R.I.P - Keith Stackpole

"His legacy will endure not only in the record books, but in the hearts of all Victorian cricket lovers." - Ross Hepburn
Keith Stackpole died aged 84 on April 22nd, the news was announced yesterday.

"Stacky was a strong, strong person – not just with us cricketers, but with his family. He'll be missed badly." - Ian Chappell
Keith Stackpole was a legend of Victorian Cricket. An 8-year international career alongside a 14-year career for Victoria, the red-faced opener and future commentator and administrator, it's safe to say Stackpole was a great.

 43 Test matches, 6 ODIs and 167 First Class Games for his country and state. 2807 Test Runs, 224 ODI Runs, and 10,100 First Class Runs. The Opener consistently averaged high 30s in all formats he played and had a brilliant record against India and England. He was the leading run-scorer during the 1972 Ashes campaign in England with 485 runs at 53.88 and in 1973 was one of Wisden's 5 Cricketers of the year.

“Stacky was a great team man. He was also great to watch. The first ball could go out of the ground. He had a particularly good hook shot. He had shots everywhere. He will be missed.’’ - Doug Walters
When the Rest of World team toured Australia in 1971-1972 featuring bowlers such as Peter and Graeme Pollock, Asif Masood, Clive Llyod, Gary Sobers, Bishan Bedi, Bob Cunis, Intikhab Alam, Tony Greig and Norman Gifford, Keith Stackpole, opening the batting, made 490 runs at an average of 54.44 including centuries at Brisbane and Sydney.

He was also vice-captain for 3 tours.

"I remember we were playing at Trent Bridge in the third Test against England in 1972. We had two slips ... Stacky quietly said to me, 'I think we need a third slip here'. I thought about it, I put a third slip in, and three or four balls later, third slip got a catch. Things like that the vice-captain was doing, and people wouldn't notice." - Ian Chappell
A Legend on and off the field Keith Stackpole, Rest in Peace.