Larrikin legend: Max Walker appeals during a Test against the West Indies in 1977. He operated in the shadows of firebrands Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson for much of his career but his peers and rivals never underestimated his contribution to a famous era of Australian cricket under the guidance of Chappell brothers Ian and Greg. "Very under-rated cricketer. He took about 130 wickets in 34 Test matches. Let's not forget he played World Series Cricket so he could well have been a 250-300 wicket taker for Australia," recalls Merv Hughes, who effectively took Walker's place in the Victorian side in the early 80s. "Big, tall, strong into the wicket, swung it both ways... batsman always had their hands full. He could always get the most out of the wicket.

"A great storyteller, a great man, never had a bad word to say about anybody. The thing I'll miss most is his big smile." Ken Sutcliffe, left, and Max Walker present Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports in 1989. Credit: SIMON ALEKNA Hailing from Hobart, Walker was a wonderful all-round sportsman that played 93 Australian rules matches in six years at the Melbourne Football Club before the call of cricket was too strong to resist. He made his way through the Victorian side, for which he would appear 88 times across both forms of the game, before becoming one of the key cogs in the Australia Test machine during the 70s. Max Walker attempts to sweep New South Wales bowler David Hourn during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG in 1976. Credit:A Purcell

He took just two matches to make an impact, ripping through Pakistan at the SCG in 1973 to take 6/15 in the second innings and secure an Australian victory in the face of a small target for the tourists of just 159. Later that year, Walker claimed a record 26 wickets at 20.73 in a series when Australia, under skipper Ian Chappell, lost spearheads Lillee and Bob Massie early to injury and illness, but still prevailed 2-0. Cricket great Max Walker. Credit:Stephen Lightfoot Legendary commentator Alan McGilvray wrote: "One of the most courageous efforts I have seen in cricket came after I watched Max Walker tip-toe across the foyer of a hotel to post a letter prior to leaving for the ground to start the fourth Test at Guyana. I questioned him about his limping and he showed me the backs of his ankles and legs and they were so dreadfully bruised that he was unable to put his heels to ground. I said to him: 'You are surely not playing today?' to which came the quiet comment: 'Dennis and Bob can't, so I must.' "At the ground he stuffed masses of foam rubber into his boots, laced them up, and simply said: 'That'll do,' and then proceeded to bowl 38 overs in the first innings, 23 in the second, to take five wickets and a magnificent running catch at fine leg."

Max Walker in 1979. Credit:Fairfax Media He would take 8/143 in the second dig of the sixth Test of the 1974-75 Ashes at the MCG, ensuring a 4-1 series win for Australia in one of his final appearances before breaking away with Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket in 1977. Dean Jones remembers Walker as a man that could relate to literally anybody who ditched the nice-guy persona once he grabbed the ball and started his run in to the wicket. "He had the ability to speak to a young kid, all the way up to royalty. He had the panache, the charisma, the infectious smile," Jones said. "And also people forget, he was a bloody tough cricketer. He got the hard wickets. He got guys out. In this day and age, he probably would have played 80 to 100 Tests.

"They used him in the World Series up the front, with his big smile. He wasn't super quick but he didn't give much away, the big boy." ​The ABC cricket book of Australia's tour of England in 1977 encapsulated his career, saying: "No captain would want for a better performer in the attack, taking into account ability, motive, a never give in approach, stamina and purpose than Max Walker." After retiring following World Series Cricket, Walker appeared on the ABC, 3AK and 2UE radio commentary teams and, after a stint at Channel Seven, joined Channel Nine. A trained architect, he featured on the network's cricket commentary between 1986 and 1991 and was parodied by satirist Billy Birmingham in The Twelfth Man series. He also presented the nightly news sports bulletin alongside host Brian Naylor.

He later hosted Nine's The Sunday Footy Show from 1993 until 1998, Nine's Wide World of Sports program until it ended in 1999 and became an in-demand guest speaker best known for his outrageous stories. "He's no dummy," said Jones. "He was an architect, he was so prepared when he did Wide World of Sports, he probably learned that trait from Richie Benaud and Greg and Ian Chappell. The attention to detail was something people missed. "He knew his audience, whether it be on the WWOS or a commentator. He worked for ABC... his CV is amazing to look back on. He was probably one of the pioneers that finished cricket and went on to be someone that built a brand. He paved a path for the rest of us." Among the highlights of his career, he featured in the 1977 Centenary Test at the MCG and after playing was also be known for the television commercials with the catch phrase: "Have a good weekend, Mr Walker."

Walker was always prepared to see the funny side of life - and himself - and once described in typical jest how West Indian greats Viv Richards and Joel Garner were so desperate to empty their bladders they stopped their car on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Walker described himself as a "two-metre tangle of not so terrifically co-ordinated arms and legs". He was an in-demand public speaker that Hughes remembers as always being early for a sportsman's lunch or corporate function, than having to be prodded along to move when it was all over. Loading "He had a wonderful knack of making everyone around him feel comfortable," said Hughes. "At sportsman's functions, he was always the first ones there and often the last to leave. He had a million more stories to come."

Walker finished his autobiography simply: "One thing is certain. Cricket has given me a great deal of pleasure and a host of happy memories. Who could ask for anything more?"