Thank you GCJDH. Super reflection. They're getting old, and departing us. He was a favourite of my late father's. Hence, he was a favourite of us Harms boys. Dad loved his stoicism but particularly liked that amateur element you describe. Life-sport alchemy.
1969. The first ever Test I got to watch, live, in a stadium. India versus Australia. A storied lineup -- Lawry, Stackpole, Chappelli, Walters, Sheahan, Redpath, Taber, McKenzie, Mallett...
Redpath was one of a cordon, alongside Chappell and Walters with Sheahan in gully, that seemed other-worldly in their skills.
I remember the second innings -- Prasanna near unplayable on a track by then taking significant turn. "Near unplayable", because Redpath handled him with consummate ease while his mates fell around him. Walked in at 4-16; was ninth out at 140, on a personal score of 63. The runs didn't even matter -- it was the way he handled Prasanna and Venkat, making it all look so easy, so inevitable, with a total absence of fuss. Australia won, on the back of that Redpath innings.
Oh, this is sad. This goes straight to the heart of my cricketing gestation. As a ten-year old kid I took notice of test cricket for the first time in 1964 when all the buzz was about this new bloke on debut, Redpath, I. My dad and his mate next door (an excellent player himself) were having a quiet ale and watching the B&W TV broadcast. I'd watch an over or two then bolt outside and be hitting a ball against the back wall, being Redpath, I. I got to see him play later on, through that great era, probably rating various Chappells, Lillees and Walterses above him as players, but not for any perceived fault on his part. He was there at the awakening and I'm sorry he's gone. Vale Redders.
I remember asking my Dad to explain who Redpath was; “Redpath, it’s good to see you back” in the Mojo jingle. A genuine link from the modern to the post modern game. RIP Redders
Just a correction Gideon - Quote: "Later he used to same hand to pour the great West Indian a beer.” - Yes, that’s a beer glass old mate but it’s not beer Redders is pouring - it’s Champers or more likely given the time and place Spew-man-tea as Bazza McKenzie might have pronounced it.
My most fond memory of Ian Redpath was from the summer of 75/76 or maybe 76/77. A few friends and I skipped “Clubs” at Melbourne High School on a Friday arvo to run off the MCG to watch the last session of a shield game, from memory VIC vs SA. SA were batting and we were on the fence in Bay 13 and I started calling out “READPATH, YOU’RE A GIRAFFE !!!” in reference of course to his long neck and tall, skinny frame and it rhymed to boot !
There weren’t many at the game so, Redders in slip, got to hear it allright - a few times he turned around and pointed and wagged his index finger at me. A few of his team mates were pissing themselves.
What a beautiful obit. I loved "Redders". He seemed like a nod to the past while the future was hurling past him. I wonder how he got on with Chappelli et al?
That's too sad. I interviewed him earlier in the year (for a coming book), and he was funny, modest and self-deprecating. Back when an average of 40 was the hallmark of a really good Test player, he averaged 43.45, which was seldom really appreciated because he didn't have the class of Greg Chappell, the aggression of Ian Chappell, the flair of Walters.
If I remember rightly, the Victorian Amateur Football Association "reinstated" him a year or two back.
Incidentally, the beer in that photo looks like a funny French brew...
Another excellent article Gideon. It’s a pity it’s about Redders’ death. He was one of my favourite crickets and from everything I’ve read about him over the decades, he was also a real gentleman
Fitting words for one of my favourite Aussies. I was there the day he hit those sixes at Adelaide Oval- I’m pretty sure one hit a patron on the melon in front of George Giffen/E. Smith stand? as no one expected Redders to clear the pickets!! RIP
As an 8 year -old, that Adelaide Test of 1976 was my first. I went with Mum, sat in row 1 of the hard wooden seats, right up against the white pickets. Desperately wanted to see Greg Chappell bat. He made a glorious 4. I was shattered. He made over 700 runs for the series! So I was oblivious to the career moments that were Redder's two sixes.
Thank you GCJDH. Super reflection. They're getting old, and departing us. He was a favourite of my late father's. Hence, he was a favourite of us Harms boys. Dad loved his stoicism but particularly liked that amateur element you describe. Life-sport alchemy.
1969. The first ever Test I got to watch, live, in a stadium. India versus Australia. A storied lineup -- Lawry, Stackpole, Chappelli, Walters, Sheahan, Redpath, Taber, McKenzie, Mallett...
Redpath was one of a cordon, alongside Chappell and Walters with Sheahan in gully, that seemed other-worldly in their skills.
I remember the second innings -- Prasanna near unplayable on a track by then taking significant turn. "Near unplayable", because Redpath handled him with consummate ease while his mates fell around him. Walked in at 4-16; was ninth out at 140, on a personal score of 63. The runs didn't even matter -- it was the way he handled Prasanna and Venkat, making it all look so easy, so inevitable, with a total absence of fuss. Australia won, on the back of that Redpath innings.
RIP.
Oh, this is sad. This goes straight to the heart of my cricketing gestation. As a ten-year old kid I took notice of test cricket for the first time in 1964 when all the buzz was about this new bloke on debut, Redpath, I. My dad and his mate next door (an excellent player himself) were having a quiet ale and watching the B&W TV broadcast. I'd watch an over or two then bolt outside and be hitting a ball against the back wall, being Redpath, I. I got to see him play later on, through that great era, probably rating various Chappells, Lillees and Walterses above him as players, but not for any perceived fault on his part. He was there at the awakening and I'm sorry he's gone. Vale Redders.
I remember asking my Dad to explain who Redpath was; “Redpath, it’s good to see you back” in the Mojo jingle. A genuine link from the modern to the post modern game. RIP Redders
Just a correction Gideon - Quote: "Later he used to same hand to pour the great West Indian a beer.” - Yes, that’s a beer glass old mate but it’s not beer Redders is pouring - it’s Champers or more likely given the time and place Spew-man-tea as Bazza McKenzie might have pronounced it.
My most fond memory of Ian Redpath was from the summer of 75/76 or maybe 76/77. A few friends and I skipped “Clubs” at Melbourne High School on a Friday arvo to run off the MCG to watch the last session of a shield game, from memory VIC vs SA. SA were batting and we were on the fence in Bay 13 and I started calling out “READPATH, YOU’RE A GIRAFFE !!!” in reference of course to his long neck and tall, skinny frame and it rhymed to boot !
There weren’t many at the game so, Redders in slip, got to hear it allright - a few times he turned around and pointed and wagged his index finger at me. A few of his team mates were pissing themselves.
What a beautiful obit. I loved "Redders". He seemed like a nod to the past while the future was hurling past him. I wonder how he got on with Chappelli et al?
RIP.
That's too sad. I interviewed him earlier in the year (for a coming book), and he was funny, modest and self-deprecating. Back when an average of 40 was the hallmark of a really good Test player, he averaged 43.45, which was seldom really appreciated because he didn't have the class of Greg Chappell, the aggression of Ian Chappell, the flair of Walters.
If I remember rightly, the Victorian Amateur Football Association "reinstated" him a year or two back.
Incidentally, the beer in that photo looks like a funny French brew...
Another excellent article Gideon. It’s a pity it’s about Redders’ death. He was one of my favourite crickets and from everything I’ve read about him over the decades, he was also a real gentleman
Lovely piece
What a beautiful obituary, GH. Thanks.
A humble, old school champion. And as tough as teak. Still remember him facing up to the might of the Windies in WSC and not giving an inch.
Thanks Gideon -
Fitting words for one of my favourite Aussies. I was there the day he hit those sixes at Adelaide Oval- I’m pretty sure one hit a patron on the melon in front of George Giffen/E. Smith stand? as no one expected Redders to clear the pickets!! RIP
Guys! Stop making me cry….
So beautiful...so beautiful...thank you.
As an 8 year -old, that Adelaide Test of 1976 was my first. I went with Mum, sat in row 1 of the hard wooden seats, right up against the white pickets. Desperately wanted to see Greg Chappell bat. He made a glorious 4. I was shattered. He made over 700 runs for the series! So I was oblivious to the career moments that were Redder's two sixes.