The Melbourne Cricket Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Australian Cricket Hall of Fame member and MCC Honorary Cricket member Ian Redpath MBE.
Ian was a highly respected member of the cricket community whose career in the sport spanned from his debut for Victoria in 1962 to more recent years as an active member in the Geelong cricket community.
Known for his bravery and stoicism at the crease, Ian will be remembered for his technical prowess and tremendous skill with the bat.
Ian played 66 Test matches and made 4,737 runs including eight hundreds and 31 fifties with a top score of 171. As a slips fielder, he took 83 catches.
His first-class record is also impressive, with 226 matches played for 14,993 runs with 32 hundreds and 84 fifties recorded.
Ian made an unforgettable debut for Australia in the second Test of the 1963-64 series against South Africa at the MCG. In his first innings, he shared an opening partnership of 219 with fellow Victorian Bill Lawry before being dismissed for 97.
Despite waiting until 1969 to record his maiden Test century – a score of 132 against the West indies at the SCG – Ian quickly cemented his place in the Australian top order following his debut.
His reliability and endurance even when faced with the toughest opponents in world cricket aided in earning Ian the title of vice-captain in the home series against England in 1974-75 and the West Indies in 1975-76, where he scored three centuries against an ever-improving pace attack.
Ian’s passion for cricket and his willingness to share his expertise highlight an incredible career for the Victorian, who went on to coach the Victorian men’s cricket team in his retirement.
Ian’s contribution to the game and admiration by his peers was acknowledged with an induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2023.
“Ian was a courageous but measured opening batter and extended that mentality into all of his endeavours,” said Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Chairman, Peter King.
“He was greatly respected as a player and even more so as a coach. Ian’s influence spread across many aspects of the game, and he was instrumental in guiding and shaping the next generation of Victorian cricket talent. “On behalf of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, I extend my deepest sympathies to Ian’s loved ones.”
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the wider cricket community at this time.
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