Tributes have poured in after it was confirmed that legendary Australian wicketkeeper Rod Marsh passed away at the age of 74.

Marsh died in Royal Adelaide Hospital after suffering a major heart attack eight days earlier.  

After initially receiving treatment at Bundaberg Hospital in Queensland, where he was placed in an induced coma, he was flown to Adelaide to be closer to family and friends.

His eldest son Paul, the CEO of the AFL Players Association and former CEO of the Australian Cricketers Association, released a statement confirming the news.

“On behalf of my mother Ros and brothers Dan and Jamie, it is with immense sadness that I advise that my father Rod passed away peacefully early this morning,” Paul said on Friday.

“He has been an incredible husband, father and grandfather and we have been so fortunate to have had him in all of our lives.

“We are so grateful for all of the love and support our family has received from so many people over the last week. It has given us strength in the most difficult week of our lives.”

Marsh was considered one of Australia’s finest cricketers, playing 96 Tests for the country between 1970 and 1984.

Greg Chappell, who was captain during the last eight years of Marsh’s career, described him as the Australian team’s “spiritual leader” during his playing days.

Australia men’s Test captain Pat Cummins paid tribute just hours before the first Test against Pakistan kicked off on Friday, describing Marsh as a “fearless” player and an “all-time great”.

“Rod was a colossal figure in Australian cricket who gave close to 50 years of incredible service to Australian cricket, from his debut in the Ashes series of 1970/71, through his time as national selector, when many of the current group of Australian men’s players came into close contact with him,” Cummins said.

“He was brilliant to deal with because he knew the game inside and out, but also had a way of dealing with you to put you at ease.

“I, along with countless other people in Australia, grew up hearing stories of him as a fearless and tough cricketer, but his swashbuckling batting and his brilliance behind the stumps over more than a decade made him one of the all-time greats of our sport, not just in Australia, but globally.

“When I think of Rod I think of a generous and larger-than life character who always had a life-loving, positive and relaxed outlook, and his passing leaves a massive void in the Australian cricket community.”

Others have taken to social media to pay tribute to the athlete, including former cricketers Shane Warne, Fawad Ahmed, and Shane Watson.

“Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much – especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate,” Warne wrote.

“Extremely saddened to hear about Rod Marsh,” Ahmed tweeted. “ It was an absolute honour and privilege to get to know him on 2015 Ashes tour. A man of integrity. And a true legend with great sense of humour. You will be extremely missed.”

“I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for Rod and his amazing skill to know how to get the best out of every young cricketer. He just cared! My love and thoughts go to Ros and the boys. RIP mate,” Watson said.

Marsh retired with a then-world record of 355 dismissals and became the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century.

Though he no longer played, Marsh stayed involved in cricket, becoming a commentator and running Australia’s National Cricket Academy.

He was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2005 and the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.

Marsh is survived by his wife Ros and their three children Paul, Dan and Jamie.

Image: Getty Images