Keith Stackpole: Former Australia cricketer dies aged 84

Former Australia batter Keith Stackpole has died at the age of 84.

The right-handed opener from Victoria played 43 Tests between 1966 and 1974, scoring 2,807 runs at an average of 37.42, including seven centuries.

Stackpole also played in the first ever one-day international, picking up three wickets with his leg-spin against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1971.

He is perhaps best remembered for his highest Test score, making 207 against England at the Gabba during the 1970-71 Ashes.

Stackpole went on to be the top scorer in the 1972 Ashes series, where he was Ian Chappell’s vice-captain, with 485 runs, and later became a television and radio commentator.

Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird said: “Keith was one of the great contributors to the game of cricket and his legacy will live long into the future.

“It is testament to his talent and standing that he was one of the five Wisden cricketers of the year in 1973 and was awarded the MBE in 1974 for services to cricket.”