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Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Cricket and TV icon makes a heartbreaking confession about his life as he pays tribute to great of the game after his sudden death
A 'shattered' Bill Lawry has paid tribute to his lifelong friend and Australian cricket legend Keith Stackpole, who sadly died on Tuesday afternoon, aged 84. The pair formed one of Australia 's great Test opening partnerships, with Lawry's cautious style of play complimenting Stackpole's exciting brand of cricket. Stackpole, an aggressive hooker, went on to make seven centuries across 43 Tests before the pair would later go on to work in commentary together. 'I'm shattered,' Lawry, who captained Australia's Test side on 25 occasions, said to Code Sports, when asked about his friend. 'When I got the call from his son with the news I was shocked because I spoke to Stacky the day before he died and he seemed fine.' Stackpole, who, according to 3AW died suddenly on Tuesday afternoon leaves behind his wife Pat and children, Peter, Tony and Angela. Heartbreakingly, Lawry opened up on the loss, admitting that he had lost one of his closest friends. 'I have lost a great friend. I have really taken it hard. We were similar – he was probably more sociable than I am. I don't have many close friends. We would talk a lot,' the former Australian captain said. 'We have lost not only a great Victorian but a real good citizen. He was great to have as a friend. He has been wonderful.' Stackpole, who is affectionately known as 'Stacky', came from a rich sporting family, with his father, Keith Stackpole Snr, playing first-class cricket for Victoria, having also made 118 appearances for Collingwood and Fitzroy during a distinguished VFL career. 'Stacky's old man was a very aggressive player and it flowed through to Keith,' Lawry said. 'He would have no qualms hitting the first ball for four. He played the game as you probably should play it.' Stackpole was initially drafted by Australia as a middle-order batter who bowled legbreaks. He'd win his first cap against England during the 1965-66 Ashes Series but would move up the order to partner Lawry as an opener. His highest Test score of 207 came against England in Brisbane in December 1970, with the cricket great averaging 37.42 runs in his Test career. A career in media followed after he retired in 1974, with Stackpole being drafted to commentate on Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket. Lawry recounted the brilliant times they spent in the commentary box with Channel 9 but also reflected on how he was left gutted when 'Stacky' was sacked from his role by Packer. 'Stacky and I used to love working together on Channel Nine and I was really disappointed when he was dropped from the team. I rang him a lot after that. That was ridiculous. He added: 'It was tragic. He and I were enjoying the good life. It felt as if we got paid more for a day with Channel Nine than we did playing for Australia for a season.' After his retirement from cricket due to a life-changing back injury, Stackpole was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport. After Lawry handed the captaincy over to Ian Chappell, Stackpole would go on to be named vice-captain. Lawry added that Stackpole was always supportive of his team-mates, while Chappell also praised his courage and leadership. 'I couldn't have asked for a better vice-captain,' Chappell told News Corp. 'He had no obvious fear and was one of the few players I have met to actually embrace facing fast bowling. 'People don't fully understand the guts and skill it requires to take on opening bowlers. 'The quicker the better for "Humphrey" and he played for his team, not himself. 'He was a wonderful cricketer and a very good friend.'
The Australian
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Former Australian Test batter Keith Stackpole has passed away
Tributes are flowing for former Test batter turned long-time commentator Keith Stackpole after he passed away aged 84. A Victorian legend, Stackpole played 43 Tests between 1966 and 1974 before becoming a well known and respected television and radio commentator. Stackpole made his Test debut in Adelaide in 1966 and went on to score seven centuries among his 2801 runs with a high score of 207 made against the old enemy, England, in Brisbane in 1970. He finished his Test career with a pair of ducks against New Zealand in 1974. Keith Stackpole, Australian Test cricketer He played alongside some of the game's greatest players including Ian Chappell and Dennis Lillee, was vice-captain of his country for a time was good enough to be named Wisden's Cricketer of the Year in 1973. After retiring from cricket in 1974, due to a life-changing back injury Stackpole forged a lengthy career in the media, joining the commentary team for Kerry Packer's rebel World Series Cricket. Former cricketer and cricket commentator Keith Stackpole interviews Shane Warne. He also commentated on radio and had a newspaper column in Melbourne. Stackpole was awarded an MBE in 1974 for services to cricket. He is survived by his wife Pat and children Peter, Tony and Angela.
Sky News AU
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Former Australian Test batter Keith Stackpole has passed away
Tributes are flowing for former Test batter turned long-time commentator Keith Stackpole after he passed away aged 84. A Victorian legend, Stackpole played 43 Tests between 1966 and 1974 before becoming a well known and respected television and radio commentator. Stackpole made his Test debut in Adelaide in 1966 and went on to score seven centuries among his 2801 runs with a high score of 207 made against the old enemy, England, in Brisbane in 1970. He finished his Test career with a pair of ducks against New Zealand in 1974. He played alongside some of the game's greatest players including Ian Chappell and Dennis Lillee, was vice-captain of his country for a time was good enough to be named Wisden's Cricketer of the Year in 1973. After retiring from cricket in 1974, due to a life-changing back injury Stackpole forged a lengthy career in the media, joining the commentary team for Kerry Packer's rebel World Series Cricket. He also commentated on radio and had a newspaper column in Melbourne. Stackpole was awarded an MBE in 1974 for services to cricket. He is survived by his wife Pat and children Peter, Tony and Angela. Originally published as Former Australian Test batter and cricket commentator Keith Stackpole has passed away
7NEWS
22-04-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Australian cricket legend Keith Stackpole dies aged 84
Australian Test cricket great Keith Stackpole has sadly passed away aged 84. Tributes are flowing for the Victorian legend, who died from a suspected heart attack on Tuesday afternoon. Stackpole made 2807 runs at 37.42 in 43 Tests for Australia, the highlight of which coming in 1972, when he topped the run-scorers list in that year's away Ashes in England. The right-handed opener scored seven centuries during a career which spanned between 1966 and 1974. He played with some of the game's greatest names, including Dennis Lillee and Ian Chappell, who he deputised as captain during that famous 1972 Ashes series. Stackpole was named Wisden's Cricketer of the Year in 1973. Following his playing days, Stackpole became one of the game's most prominent commentators and media figures, initially joining Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket. He also had an esteemed career on radio and in newspapers. Channel 7 presenter Jim Wilson was one of many to pay tribute to Stackpole. 'Very sad news, loved our catchups and his advice over a coffee and a sanga,' Wilson said. 'Always generous with his time, called it the way it was and all our thoughts with Stacky's family. Vale Keith Stackpole.' Herald Sun journalist Glenn McFarlane added: 'Incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of the great Keith Stackpole. He was the voice of my childhood on TV and radio, then I was privileged to be one of Stacky's 'ghost' writers for a number of years. 'Great cricketer; and an absolute gentleman! Condolences to his family.' The cricket legend was honoured with an MBE for his serves to the game in 1974. Stackpole is survived by his wife Pat, as well as children Peter, Tony and Angela.
West Australian
22-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Former Australian Test batter and cricket commentator Keith Stackpole has passed away
Tributes are flowing for former Test batter turned long-time commentator Keith Stackpole after he passed away aged 84. A Victorian legend, Stackpole played 43 Tests between 1966 and 1974 before becoming a well known and respected television and radio commentator. Stackpole made his Test debut in Adelaide in 1966 and went on to score seven centuries among his 2801 runs with a high score of 207 made against the old enemy, England, in Brisbane in 1970. He finished his Test career with a pair of ducks against New Zealand in 1974. He played alongside some of the game's greatest players including Ian Chappell and Dennis Lillee, was vice-captain of his country for a time was good enough to be named Wisden's Cricketer of the Year in 1973. After retiring from cricket in 1974, due to a life-changing back injury Stackpole forged a lengthy career in the media, joining the commentary team for Kerry Packer's rebel World Series Cricket. He also commentated on radio and had a newspaper column in Melbourne. Stackpole was awarded an MBE in 1974 for services to cricket. He is survived by his wife Pat and children Peter, Tony and Angela.
