Australian sport is mourning the death of affable Test cricketer Max Walker, aged 68.
The man universally known as Tangles for his unconventional bowling action died after a two-year battle against melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Walker played 38 Tests and 17 one-day internationals for Australia between 1972 and 1977, and also reached the top-level of Australian Rules football, playing 94 senior VFL games for Melbourne.
The Tasmanian-born Walker became a renowned author after his sporting career and was also a popular commentator for the Nine Network.
"Sad news to hear about that," former Australian captain and fellow commentator Ian Chappell told 3AW.
Other teammates including Kerry O'Keefe were also quick to pay tribute to the ever-smiling Walker.
"Max Walker has passed...so sad...melanoma...gentle man ...gentle inswingers...won Tests...won series...decent...respectful...vale T Foot!" O'Keefe posted on Twitter.
Ex-Test batsman Dean Jones posted: "So sad to hear of the passing of Max Walker. What a great cricketer, author and story teller. Ripper bloke whose smile lit up a room! #263"
Walker was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2011 for his services to cricket as a player and commentator, and also to social organisations.
Walker believed he got the gong because he always said yes - yes to bowling into the wind for Australia; yes to holding down an Australian Rules defensive post for Melbourne; yes to numerous community organisations who need help.
"Maybe the recognition is a result of saying yes more times than no, which in itself is a nice place to be," Walker told AAP at the time.
After retiring from cricket in 1981, Walker carved a career as a sports commentator, author and public speaker and is thankful for advice from cricket commentary doyen Alan McGilvray.
"Mac said to me 'imagine you're speaking to a whole bunch of blind people. If you can satisfy their needs in word pictures, you will be well on the way to success'," he told AAP.
File image of Walker during his tenure as a commentator, taken by Adrian Murrell (Getty) Source: Getty
"It is the best bit of communication advice ... and that set up the story telling and the television and the books that followed."
Walker's exalted status led to charity work with a plethora of organisations, many revolving around social and youth work.
"You have an ability to open a door, make a phone call, create an idea or sow a seed for something to happen perhaps quicker than if you went through the normal gate keepers and channels to help," he said.
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Max Walker's sporting career by the numbers
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