Keith Stackpole dies aged 84

Australian cricket is mourning the death of former Test opener Keith Stackpole, who died on Tuesday at the age of 84.

Stackpole was an aggressive opening batter who was an important member of the Australian sides captained by Bill Lawry and Ian Chappell from 1966-74.

Keith Stackpole in action against New Zealand in 1974, when he was Australian vice captain. Credit: Fairfax Media

Picked initially as a middle-order batter who could bowl leg-spin, Stackpole flourished after being moved to the top of the order by close friend and Victoria teammate Lawry for the Sydney Test against the West Indies in the 1968-69 series.

Together, the pair, with vastly different styles, became one of the finest opening combinations Australia had seen. Stackpole’s hard hitting and love of the hook shot - his feature shot - was in contrast to Lawry’s more sedate game.

Click here to read article