NO, Big Maxy. Not you.

I’ve been flattened by the news of Max “No wonder they call him Tangles” Walker’s passing.

Like Richie Benaud and Tony Greig, I consider him as one of “my guys” which, I guess, is a little strange given that I haven’t had all that much direct contact with him in recent years.

But they feel very close to me. Big Maxy has been a huge part of my life and career. It’s very sad to lose him, particularly at the relatively young age of 68.

Like many people, my first memories of Max were of steaming in right (or was it left?) arm over the wicket. What a delivery that was. I used to joke that his left arm was so jealous of his right arm that it insisted on bowling at the same time!

Fortunately his voice was easier to imitate than his delivery stride and he quickly became one of my best characters.

It’s hard to pinpoint a favourite skit. The Max-o-phone still gives me a giggle, as does “Grahemy Labrooy” and the “Go Silver Sovereign ... come on Richie, help me kick this bastard home!” call. And I love it when people write about Max on my Facebook page - followed by their mates commenting, “Don’t you mean Mike Walker?”

RIP Maxy Walker. Source: FOX SPORTS

I liked Big Maxy so much that even when he parted ways with the Nine commentary team I kept him as part of The 12th Man narrative, hounding Richie to get his job back and, on one album, kidnapping Kenny Sutcliffe (aka the male model from Mudgee) to improve his chances of getting back on the team.

I used to really hate public speaking engagements and would turn down 99.9 per cent of them. But there was one I couldn’t refuse in Melbourne many years back - because it was being MCed by the great Max Walker himself. The opportunity to address the real Big Maxy with my impression of Big Maxy was too delicious to pass up.

We both had a blast. He hosted the event and, when he got me up for a Q and A, it was only ever going to start with a “Yeeeeeeeees, nice to be here with the ol’ seven-times broken nose!”

Maxy always had a smile on his face no matter what. I used to joke that he could be told that his house had burned down and he would respond with a “Yeeeeeeees, well bloody hell that’s tragic” with a big smiling face full of teeth.

Max Walker during his Wide World of Sports era. Source: News Corp Australia

I was only watching him on Crash Craddock’s “Cricket Legends” series recently and he looked so bloody big and healthy. Cancer is a bastard like that. You can be as fit and robust and happy as you like and it can cut you down indiscriminately.

Max was a real innovator. There are hundreds of guys who have played Test cricket, but not many have turned that into a career as a commentator, TV presenter, best-selling author (”Alligators and a***holes”, “Dingoes and dropkicks” and the list goes on!), brand ambassador and public speaker.

He liked that The 12th Man albums added another layer to his cult following and he always made mention of it when we crossed paths through the years.

Billy Birmingham aka The 12th Man. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Corp Australia

As I’m writing this, a few more of my favourite Max moments have come to mind:

“If Max Walker comes within 10 feet of this f***ing door, shoot him.”

“It looks like a baby’s orm holding an apple.”

“Can you hear me, Ken? Moan ... Biff! Can you hear me, Ken?”

Like the entire cricketing world, I’m really very sad to see him go.

Farewell, Big Maxy.

And thank you.