Max led with lip and then with ball to skittle Greig

BOB Merriman has vivid memories of the 1977 Centenary Test.

More particularly, the moment Max Walker tore through the defences of Tony Greig.

“What sticks in my mind the best was the way he done Tony Greig in,” Merriman said as he reflected on the life of Test fast bowler Max Walker, who died yesterday, aged 68.

“When he cleaned bowled him in the Centenary Test ... they were the best memories I had. He baited Greggy sensationally and he did it in a good way. He went after him in a pleasant, verbal way, not a sledging way. He was just so smart with his comments.”

Walker, affectionately known as “Tangles”, passed away following a short battle with cancer.

Merriman, a former chairman of Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria president for 10 years, was stunned when he learnt of the news yesterday.

“I”m very saddened,” he said.

“To think I won’t have the joy of meeting him again is something you think about very deeply. It’s terribly sad.”

Merriman, who played for Melbourne, first met Walker at a club function back in 1955.

“He did a bloody lot for cricket, Max,” he said.

“He must have visited more sporting outlets throughout the country than anyone else. He did more sports nights than I can think of. Sure, he made a dollar out of it but he gave his time very freely and he was always a great entertainer.

“He was a huge success in football and cricket . . . he was sensational.

“I was lucky enough to be coming into Cricket Victoria when Max was near the end . . . and he did a bloody lot to make sure things worked well.

“Max always had a smile and he was always generous with his time.”