Former Australian cricketer Max Walker has passed away aged 68 following a long battle with melanoma.

He played in 34 Tests and 17 ODIS for Australia, taking 138 and 17 wickets respectively.

A rare talent, Walker also played 94 senior games with the Melbourne Football Club.

View photos Walker in his playing days. Source: Twitter More

He was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2011.

LOVABLE LARRIKIN: A tribute to the great man

Walker was born in Hobart and was the son of a publican - he always referred to himself as a kid from Tasmania, especially when named to play alongside some of the greatest names in cricket history.

The revered character became a celebrity on TV and radio, he was a cricket expert on Channel Seven's World of Sport and an author of 14 books with sales exceeding one-million copies.

He was famously parodied by Billy Birmingham on The Twelfth Man's 1994 album Wired World of Sports II.

View photos Walker enjoyed a great media career. Source: Getty More

Walker was widely known for his nickname Tangles, which referred to his strange bowling action, particularly the way he moved his feet.

"Sad news to hear about that," former captain and co-worker Ian Chappell told 3AW.

"I only found out a couple of days ago that he was in bad shape."

Tributes flowed in thick and fast for the cricketing legend on social media.

So sad to hear of the passing of Max Walker. What a great cricketer, author and story teller. Ripper bloke whose smile lit up a room! #263 😪 — Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) September 27, 2016

Max Walker has passed...so sad...melanoma...gentle man ...gentle inswingers...won Tests...won series...decent...respectful...vale T Foot ! — Kerry O'Keeffe (@kokeeffe49) September 27, 2016

A very sad day, with news of the passing of former Australian cricketer and Melbourne footballer, Max Walker, aged 68. RIP, Tangles. pic.twitter.com/Y1ay4OgMKk — Melb Cricket Ground (@MCG) September 27, 2016

Vale Max Walker. An unmistakeable bowling action, presence and voice. A humble servant of the game he loved. — Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) September 27, 2016

Very sad to hear passing of Max Walker at 68 - could bowl, great character & a true gentleman pic.twitter.com/MdLVPVvupb — Jim Wilson (@JimWilsonTV) September 27, 2016

Very sad news about Max Walker.

Part of the baggy green family🇦🇺

— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) September 28, 2016

MAX WALKER'S SPORTING CAREER

CRICKET





34 Tests: 138 wickets at average of 27.47. Best figures: 8-143 v England, February 1975





Seven Supertests (World Series Cricket): 28 wickets at 25.43. Best figures 7-88 v World XI, January 1978.





17 one-day internationals: 20 wickets at 27.30, economy rate 3.25 runs per over





135 first-class games: 499 wickets at 26.47

VFL





85 games for Melbourne, 1967-72

TRIVIA





Walker is one of only four men to play VFL football and Test cricket in the same year (1972). Others are Keith Miller, Laurie Nash and George Tribe.





Walker's Test bowling average is better than that of Jeff Thomson and Mitchell Johnson, among others.





Dennis Lillee is the only other bowler to take seven wickets in a Supertest innings during World Series Cricket



