Australian cricket is mourning the loss of one of its last old-school stonewall openers, with former Test batsman Ian Redpath passing away at 83. A member of Australian cricket’s hall of fame, Redpath was a cornerstone of Australia’s team in the 1960s and 1970s. The Victorian played 66 Tests, scoring eight centuries between 1964 and 1976, amassing 4734 runs at an average of 43.45.

Hailing from Geelong, Redpath made a memorable debut for Australia against South Africa at the MCG, scoring 97, but had to wait five years for his first Test century. He earned the dubious distinction of being dismissed by a Mankad in a Test by West Indies fast bowler Charlie Griffith in 1969, but his career took off in the second half, with his first Test century coming in the second innings of the next match against West Indies in Sydney. From that point on, he averaged almost 50.

As the years progressed, Redpath became more prolific, scoring five centuries in his final 15 Tests and three in his last series. Perhaps most notably, he did so against a formidable West Indies attack led by Michael Holding and Andy Roberts, helping Australia secure their last series win over the Caribbean team for 20 years.

Last year, upon his induction into the hall of fame, Redpath was asked what made him proud. “The longevity,” he replied, having retired at 34 to focus on his Geelong antique business before a brief stint with World Series Cricket. “I was fortunate to play for quite a while. In an era where most retired at 30, I had the good fortune to extend it.”

Redpath’s career stands out in Australian Test cricket as he remains the last amateur to play a Test for Australia, initially rejecting payments for his debut series. This allowed him to continue playing Aussie rules for Geelong in the Victorian Amateur Football Association until his status changed when he accepted tour payments for the 1964 Ashes.

As a batsman, Redpath was known for his impenetrable defense. Greg Chappell considered him one of the hardest men in Australia to dismiss, while English fast bowler John Snow lamented that Redpath “saintly refused” to be tempted into a loose shot. This was evident when Redpath carried his bat through an innings against New Zealand at Eden Park in 1974, setting up a Test win.

He hit only two sixes in his Test career, both in his second-last match against West Indies in Adelaide. He also hit just one six at the MCG, playing for Victoria against Pakistan in 1972. “I must have had a touch of the sun and managed to lob one over wide mid-on,” Redpath recounted last year. “It was where the players sat. It lobbed about two rows from where my wife was sitting.”

Redpath coached Victoria after his retirement and remained deeply involved in Geelong cricket. Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird described Redpath as “a much-loved and revered figure” in Australian cricket. “As a fine opening batsman, Ian was a mainstay of the national team through one of the great eras of Australian cricket and beloved by many for his courage, impeccable sportsmanship, and wry humor,” Baird said in a statement.

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