View source for Max Walker

{{short description|Australian rules footballer and cricketer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Max Walker
| image = 
| country = Australia
| fullname = Maxwell Henry Norman Walker 
| nickname = Tangles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8137.html |title=Max Walker &#124; Australian Cricket &#124; Cricket Players and Officials &#124; ESPN Cricinfo | publisher=cricinfo.com |access-date=2013-07-12}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1948|9|12|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Hobart]], Tasmania, Australia<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27773197 |title=Family Notices |newspaper=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]] |volume=CLXVIII |issue=24,263 |location=Tasmania|date=14 September 1948 |access-date=28 September 2016 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2016|9|28|1948|9|12|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Melbourne]], Victoria, Australia
|             batting = Right-handed
|             bowling = Right-arm fast-medium  
|                role = [[Bowler (cricket)|Bowler]]
|       international = true
|       testdebutdate = 
|       testdebutyear = 
|    testdebutagainst = Pakistan
|             testcap = 263
|        lasttestdate = 
|        lasttestyear = 
|     lasttestagainst = England
|        odidebutdate = 
|        odidebutyear = 
|     odidebutagainst = New Zealand
|              odicap = 23
|         lastodidate = 
|         lastodiyear = 
|      lastodiagainst = New Zealand
| club1              = [[Victoria Bushrangers|Victoria]]
| year1              = {{nowrap|1968/69–1981/82}}
|          
|             columns = 4
|             column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1           = 34
| runs1              = 586 
| bat avg1           = 19.53 
| 100s/50s1          = 0/1 
| top score1         = 78[[not out|*]] 
| deliveries1        = 10,094 
| wickets1           = 138 
| bowl avg1          = 27.47 
| fivefor1           = 6 
| tenfor1            = 0
| best bowling1      = 8/143 
|  catches/stumpings1 = 12/–
|             column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|            matches2 = 17
|               runs2 = 79
|            bat avg2 = 9.87
|           100s/50s2 = 0/0
|          top score2 = 20
|         deliveries2 = 1006
|            wickets2 = 20
|           bowl avg2 = 27.30
|            fivefor2 = 0
|             tenfor2 = 0
|       best bowling2 = 4/19
| catches/stumpings2 = 6/–
|             column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|            matches3 = 135
|               runs3 = 2,014
|            bat avg3 = 15.49
|           100s/50s3 = 0/3
|          top score3 = 78[[not out|*]]
|         deliveries3 = 31,647
|            wickets3 = 499
|           bowl avg3 = 26.47
|            fivefor3 = 21
|             tenfor3 = 0
|       best bowling3 = 8/143
|  catches/stumpings3 = 49/–
|             column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
|            matches4 = 41
|               runs4 = 261
|            bat avg4 = 15.35
|           100s/50s4 = 0/0
|          top score4 = 31
|         deliveries4 = 2,425
|            wickets4 = 52
|           bowl avg4 = 25.28
|            fivefor4 = 0
|             tenfor4 = 0
|       best bowling4 = 4/19
|  catches/stumpings4 = 9/–
|                date = 17 June
|                year = 2014
| medaltemplates =  
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{cr|AUS}}}} <!-- Mention Host Names for Team Sports-->
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1975 Cricket World Cup|1975 England]]|}}
|              source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8137.html ESPNcricinfo
| module ={{Infobox AFL biography
| embed=yes
| club1 = {{AFL Mel}}
| years1 = 1967-72
| games_goals1 =  85 (23)
}}
}}

'''Maxwell Henry Norman Walker''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AM}} (12 September 1948 – 28 September 2016) was an Australian sportsman who played both [[cricket]] and [[Australian rules football]] at high levels. After six years of balancing [[first-class cricket]] in summer, professional football in winter and study for a degree in architecture, Walker earned a place in the [[Australian cricket team]] in 1972 and represented his country in the sport until injury ended his career in 1981. Following his retirement, he worked as an architect and also commenced a career in radio and television media. He wrote 14 books over a period of thirty years and became a successful public speaker. His unorthodox cricket bowling action earned him the nickname "Tangles", and his [[larrikin]] character made him a much-loved figure with the Australian public. Walker died of [[multiple myeloma]] on 28 September 2016 after being diagnosed with the disease three years earlier.<ref name=abcnews/> He was a part of the Australian squad which finished as [[1975 Cricket World Cup final|runners-up]] at the [[1975 Cricket World Cup]].

== Early life and education==
Walker was born in [[Hobart]], Tasmania, on 12 September 1948.<ref name=guardian>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/28/max-walker-former-australian-cricketer-dies-aged-68 |title=Max Walker: former Australian cricketer dies aged 68 |date=28 September 2016 |access-date=28 September 2016 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> While in high school he represented Tasmania as an opening batsman in their colts team, scoring a century in one match.<ref name=smh>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/max-walker-dead-at-68-20160924-grnplu.html |title=Max Walker dead at 68 |last=Pierik |first=Jon |date=28 September 2016 |access-date=28 September 2016 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> As a schoolboy at [[The Friends' School, Hobart]], Walker was vice-captain of the firsts cricket team, played Aussie Rules football and was a talented junior athlete for his school. He also played for [[North Hobart Cricket Club]] and [[North Hobart Football Club]] as a junior.<ref name=Mercury>{{cite web|url=https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/tasmanians-recall-their-fond-memories-of-former-cricketer-max-walker/news-story/5817a717d3e7f6ca1e4d269216d30375 |title=Tasmanians recall their fond memories of former cricketer Max Walker
 |last=Bresnehan |first=James |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=29 August 2024|work=The Mercury}}</ref> 
After graduating from Friends' School in 1967 he relocated to Melbourne to play football and also enrolled in an architecture degree at the [[RMIT University|Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology]].<ref name=weekly>{{cite web |url=http://www.theweeklyreview.com.au/meet/1831792-meeting-max-walker/ |title=Meeting Australian cricket legend Max Walker |last=Wilmoth |first=Peter |date=4 February 2015 |work=The Weekly Review |access-date=28 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001185126/http://www.theweeklyreview.com.au/meet/1831792-meeting-max-walker/ |archive-date=1 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=ca>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricket.com.au/news/max-walker-passes-away-aged-68-tangles-australia-test-fast-bowler/2016-09-28 |title=Max Walker passes away, aged 68 |last=Cavalier |first=Rodney |work=cricket.com.au |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> He graduated with a fellowship diploma in 1973.<ref name=guardian/>

== Football career ==
In 1966, while still a high school student, [[Melbourne Football Club]] coach [[Norm Smith]] visited Walker's family home in Hobart to sign him to the Demons.<ref name=weekly/> He relocated from Hobart to Melbourne in 1967 and made his [[Victorian Football League|VFL]] debut the same year. He spent six seasons with Melbourne, playing 85 games{{refn|group=note|Some sources state 93 games.<ref name=guardian/><ref name=smh/>}} as a [[Ruckman (Australian rules football)|ruckman]] and [[Australian rules football positions#Back line|defender]] and earning one [[Brownlow Medal]] vote in 1968.<ref name=perthnow>{{cite web|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/cricket/australian-cricket-legend-max-walker-dies-after-cancer-battle/news-story/0c7127d526e7ff6fc75277f17a066059 |title=Australian cricket legend Max Walker dies after cancer battle |date=28 September 2016 |last=Anderson |first=Jon |work=PerthNow |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref><ref name=abc>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-28/former-australian-cricketer-max-walker-dies/7883808 |title=Max Walker dies, aged 68, after 34-Test career with Australian cricket team |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=28 September 2016 |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/M/Max_Walker.html |title=Max walker |work=AFL Tables |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> After returning from the [[Australian cricket team]]'s [[Australian cricket team in the West Indies in 1972–73|1972–73 tour of the West Indies]], Walker informed the club that he would not be joining them for the [[1973 VFL season]], as the season was about to start and he needed to complete a thesis for his university degree.<ref name=smh/><ref name=country>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/max-walker-an-excellent-fast-medium-bowler-who-was-doomed-to-play-the-support-role-30817 |title=Max Walker: An excellent fast-medium bowler who was doomed to play the support role |last=Sengupta |first=Arunabha |date=12 September 2016 |access-date=28 September 2016 |work=Cricket Country}}</ref>

== Cricket career ==
Upon moving to Melbourne in 1967, Walker joined the [[Melbourne Cricket Club]]. Although he earned a reputation as a batsman as a junior, he was given an opportunity to open the bowling attack for Melbourne, which showed his true cricket potential.<ref name=smh/> His strange bowling action, bowling right arm over his right leg, earned Walker the nickname of "Tanglefoot" which was quickly shortened to "Tangles".<ref name=guardian/> He made his [[first-class cricket|first-class]] debut for [[Victoria cricket team|Victoria]] in February 1969 against [[Queensland cricket team|Queensland]], the final match of Victoria's 1968–1969 [[Sheffield Shield]] season.<ref name=ca/> Despite taking five wickets in the match, he did not get a chance to play in the 1969–1970 season due to the depth in Victoria's bowling.<ref name=ca/> He earned a second match in December 1970 and became a regular in the 1971–72 season, playing a total of 135 matches for Victoria.<ref name=ca/>

He made his test debut for [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] in the [[Pakistani cricket team in Australia in 1972–73|second Test]] against [[Pakistan cricket team|Pakistan]] that commenced on 29 December 1972.<ref name=ca/> He took five wickets in the match and retained his place in the team for the next match, the final of the series. In that match, a final innings performance of 6–15 by Walker prevented Pakistan from winning the match. During the series he was selected for Australia's tour of the West Indies that ran from February to April 1973.<ref name=ca/>

Walker played a total of 34 Tests, taking 138 wickets as a medium-fast bowler.<ref name=ca/> He played in 17 [[One Day International|ODI]]s between 1974 and 1981, as well as playing in the breakaway [[World Series Cricket]] from 1977 to 1979.<ref name=ca/> His final match for Australia was the infamous [[Underarm bowling incident of 1981|underarm match]] between Australia and [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] on 1 February 1981.<ref name=weekly/> An Achilles tendon injury subsequently forced his retirement from cricket.<ref name=mcgarry/>

==Post-retirement from cricket==
After retiring from competitive cricket in 1981, Walker practised architecture for 10 years.<ref name=weekly/> He also became a highly regarded for his work in the media, including television and radio. He was also a successful author and public speaker.

=== Media career ===
Once he retired from cricket, Walker first appeared on radio, calling cricket for the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) with [[Drew Morphett]] and [[Alan McGilvray]] for four years from 1981.<ref name=mcgarry/> He was also part of the commercial radio cricket coverage run by 2UE and 3AK.<ref name=mcgarry/> His first television appearances date back to 1982, where he was the cricket expert on Channel 7's ''World of Sport''. After moving to Channel 9 in 1985, he was also part of ''National Nine News Melbourne'' with [[Brian Naylor (broadcaster)|Brian Naylor]], reading sports reports on the nightly news.<ref name=smh/> He also hosted the [[Nine Network]]'s ''[[The Sunday Footy Show (AFL)|The Sunday Footy Show]]'' from 1993–1998 and ''[[Nine's Wide World of Sports]]'' program until it was cancelled in 1999. He was also a commentator for Channel Nine's cricket matches between 1985 and 1991.<ref name=smh/> In 2005 he appeared on the Nine Network's sports show ''[[Any Given Sunday (TV series)|Any Given Sunday]]'', hosted by [[James Brayshaw]], as well as ABC2's sports program ''Late Night Legends'' featuring highlights of the 1974–75 Ashes series in which Walker had a prominent role.

Walker's distinctive broad [[Australian English phonology|Australian accent]] was parodied in several albums by [[The Twelfth Man]] ([[Billy Birmingham]]), including being featured as the central character on the 1994 album ''[[Wired World of Sports II]]''.<ref name=smh/> It follows Walker through a day at his job at the [[Nine Network]] in which he assaults co-host [[Ken Sutcliffe]] in order to increase his chances of regaining a place on the cricket commentary team.

He also appeared in television advertisements throughout his career, commencing with an [[Aerogard]] commercial in the mid-1970s.<ref name=perthnow/> He also made a guest appearance on Red Faces for an episode of ''[[Hey Hey It's Saturday]]''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Kenny Codgers - Red Faces |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU9ec84KoIc |access-date=2023-09-01 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Writing career ===
Max Walker was also the author of 14 books, with total sales exceeding one million copies. His first book, ''Tangles'' (written with Neil Phillipson), was an autobiography published in 1976. His subsequent books contained light-hearted anecdotes from his career, with titles such as ''The Wit of Walker'', ''How to Kiss a Crocodile'' and ''How to Puzzle a Python''. His final book ''Caps, Hats and Helmets'' was released in 2006.<ref name=mcgarry/><ref name=caps>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/16121123 |title=Caps, hats & helmets : cricket's a funny game! / Max Walker |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>

===Public speaking===
Following the cancellation of ''[[Nine's Wide World of Sports]]'' in 1999, Walker commenced appearing on the public speaking circuit.<ref name=weekly/> He turned it into a successful business and continued speaking until at least 2015.<ref name=weekly/> Walker held the designation of Certified Speaking Professional, which is the highest accreditation within Professional Speakers Australia. In 2016, he presented a keynote address at the Professional Speakers Australia annual convention.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://2016.psaconvention.com.au/speakers/max-walker|title=Professional Speakers Australia Convention 2016 :: Max Walker|website=2016.psaconvention.com.au|access-date=2016-09-29}}</ref> He received the Educator of the Year<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.professionalspeakers.org.au/about/awards/#Educator|title=The Nevin Award, Keynote Presenter & Educator Award for Excellence|website=www.professionalspeakers.org.au|access-date=2016-09-29}}</ref> award from Professional Speakers Australia at that same convention.

==Honours==
On 13 June 2011, Walker was named a Member of the [[Order of Australia]] for service to cricket at a national and international level as a player and commentator, and to the community through a range of youth and social welfare organisations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Max Walker AM|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1144316|publisher=Australian Honours Database|access-date=13 June 2011|archive-date=4 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004140635/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1144316&search_type=quick&showInd=true|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Walker was married twice and had five children: three sons from his first marriage, and two daughters with his second wife Kerry.<ref name=weekly/> He was an avid collector of [[fountain pen]]s and featured in one episode of the ABC's ''[[Collectors (TV series)|Collectors]]''.<ref name=mcgarry>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-28/farewell-to-tangles-as-max-walker-dies-at-68/7884440 |title=Max Walker: Larrikin, sportsman, raconteur and broadcaster dies aged 68 |date=28 September 2016 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |last=McGarry |first=Andrew |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/video/default.htm?pres=ep_vid_EP28&story=1 |title=The Collectors |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> Walker died from [[multiple myeloma]] on 28 September 2016, after being diagnosed in August 2013.<ref name="abcnews">{{cite news|title=Max Walker died of a blood cancer called myeloma, not melanoma|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-29/max-walker-died-of-myeloma-not-melanoma/7888012|access-date=29 September 2016|work=ABC News|date=29 September 2016}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
Books authored or co-authored by Walker:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maxwalker.com.au/writer-max/book-shelf/ |title=Book Shelf – Max Walker |access-date=28 September 2016 |archive-date=1 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301193609/http://www.maxwalker.com.au/writer-max/book-shelf/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''Tangles'' (1976), with Neill Phillipson, {{ISBN|095970986X}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9527423?q=Tangles&c=book&versionId=11053649 |title=Tangles / Max Walker with Neill Phillipson |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>
* ''Cricketer at the Crossroads'' (1978), with Neill Phillipson, {{ISBN|0908081405}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9557197?q=Cricketer+at+the+Crossroads+&c=book&versionId=11089247 |title=Cricketer at the crossroads / [by] Max Walker with Neill Phillipson |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> 
* ''Back to Bay 13'' (1980), {{ISBN|0908081804}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/24948351?q=Back+to+Bay+13&c=book&versionId=30095642 |title=Back to bay 13 / Max Walker. |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> 
* ''The Wit of Walker'' (1983), with [[Mike Coward]], {{ISBN|0908081499}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/21652133?q=The+Wit+of+Walker&c=book&versionId=45763548 |title=The wit of Walker / Max Walker with Mike Coward. |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> 
* ''How to Hypnotise Chooks'' (1987), {{ISBN|0908081510}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8476676?q=How+to+Hypnotise+Chooks+&c=book&sort=holdings+desc&_=1475049656731&versionId=45772393 |title=How to hypnotise chooks and other great yarns / Max Walker. |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> 
* ''How to Tame Lions'' (1988), {{ISBN|0908081758}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/18832825?q=How+to+Tame+Lions&c=book&sort=holdings+desc&_=1475049764058&versionId=45774740 |title=How to tame lions and other great yarns / Max Walker. |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>
* ''How to Kiss a Crocodile'' (1989), {{ISBN|0908081839}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/16860557?q=How+to+kiss+a+crocodile&c=book&sort=holdings+desc&_=1475049943897&versionId=19790440 |title=How to kiss a crocodile and other snappy stories / Max Walker |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>
* ''How to Puzzle a Python'' (1990), {{ISBN|0908081367}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/6198597?q=How+to+puzzle+a+python&c=book |title=How to puzzle a python / Max Walker |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>
* ''The best of Mr Walker'' (1992), {{ISBN|0947334513}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/34936980?q=The+best+of+max+walker&c=book&versionId=45786259 |title=The best of Mr Walker : a collection of Max Walker's favourite stories. |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=29 September 2016}}</ref>
* ''A Chip Off the Old Block'' (1996), {{ISBN|0947334823}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/13818641?q=A+chip+off+the+old+block&c=book&sort=holdings+desc&_=1475106654478&versionId=45798001 |title=A chip off the old block / Max Walker. |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=29 September 2016}}</ref>
* ''Sports Jokes'' (1997), with Brian Doyle, {{ISBN|0947334823}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/23040070?q=Sports+Jokes&c=book&sort=holdings+desc&_=1475107277894&versionId=45521679+185206467 |title=Sports jokes / Max Walker, Brian Doyle. |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=29 September 2016}}</ref>
* ''Ladies and Gentlemen'' (1999), with [[Mike McColl Jones]], {{ISBN|1865080802}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/26209881?q=Ladies+and+Gentlemen&c=book&versionId=45870235 |title=Ladies and gentlemen : tales and misadventures from the microphone / Max Walker and Mike McColl Jones. |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=29 September 2016}}</ref>
* ''The Volunteers'' (2001), with Gerry Gleeson, {{ISBN|1865085685}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/33665098?q=exact_creator%3A%22Walker+Max+1948%22&c=book&versionId=45873657 |title=The volunteers : how ordinary Australians brought about the extraordinary success of the Sydney 2000 Games / Max Walker and Gerry Gleeson. |via=National Library of Australia |access-date=29 September 2016}}</ref>
* ''Caps, Hats and Helmets'' (2006), {{ISBN|0975791109}}<ref name=caps/>

==See also==
*[[List of Australian rules footballers and cricketers]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.maxwalker.com.au/}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=8137}}
* [http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/M/Max_Walker.html Walker's football statistics] from AFL Tables
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071105090050/http://www.abc.net.au/talkingheads/txt/s1851453.htm Interview on ABC Television's Talking Heads February 2007]
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[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:Architects from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Australia One Day International cricketers]]
[[Category:Australia Test cricketers]]
[[Category:Australian cricket commentators]]
[[Category:Australian cricketers]]
[[Category:Australian male writers]]
[[Category:Australian rules footballers from Tasmania]]
[[Category:Australian television presenters]]
[[Category:Cricketers at the 1975 Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Hobart]]
[[Category:D. H. Robins' XI cricketers]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Deaths from multiple myeloma]]
[[Category:Melbourne Cricket Club cricketers]]
[[Category:Melbourne Football Club players]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:RMIT University alumni]]
[[Category:Victoria (state) architects]]
[[Category:Victoria cricketers]]
[[Category:World Series Cricket players]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen]]