Australian cricket mourns death of former Test opener Keith Stackpole
Stackpole was an aggressive opening batter who was an important member of the Australian sides captained by Bill Lawry and Ian Chappell from 1966-74.
Picked initially as a middle-order batter who could bowl leg-spin, Stackpole flourished after being moved to the top of the order by close friend and Victoria teammate Lawry for the Sydney Test against the West Indies in the 1968-69 series.
Together, the pair, with vastly different styles, became one of the finest opening combinations Australia had seen. Stackpole's hard hitting and love of the hook shot was in contrast to Lawry's more sedate game.
Stackpole was a key part of Australia's successful tour of India in 1969, topping the averages with 368 at 46. That series was to be Australia's last win in India until Ricky Ponting's Australian team, captained in part by Adam Gilchrist, conquered what was seen as the final frontier in 2004.
Stackpole received global acknowledgment when he was named Wisden 's Cricketer of the Year in 1973. More locally, he also won the Ryder Medal three times as the best player in Melbourne's district cricket competition.
After his retirement, he became part of Nine's commentary team for World Series Cricket, alongside Richie Benaud and Lawry, and also carved out a successful career on the ABC.
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