John Maclean, Queensland stalwart and Test wicketkeeper, dies aged 80

Played 4 Tests and 2 ODIs for Australia in 1978-79. He played four Tests and two ODIs for Australia during the 1978-79 home Ashes series when many of Australia's best players, including No. 1 wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, were banned from playing in the Test team because of their participation in World Series Cricket. His Test career came during the World Series Cricket split era when Australia was fielding weakened sides. Made his debut against England in the 1978-79 Ashes series. Remembered as a reliable gloveman who stepped up for Australia during a turbulent period for the national team. Part of Queensland cricket’s strong wicketkeeping tradition. Bottom line: Maclean was one of several players who represented Australia in Tests during the WSC era. While his international career was brief with 4 Tests, he was highly respected in Australian cricket circles and a key figure for Queensland. Maclean made his first-class debut for Queensland in 1968 and quickly made an impact breaking the state record for most dismissals in a season, previously held by former Australia wicketkeeper Wally Grout. Maclean also made his highest first-class score of 156 in his first season in the Sheffield Shield. Those performances earned him a place on an Australia development tour of New Zealand in 1969-70 alongside Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee. But later that year, Marsh was selected ahead of Maclean for the opening Test of the 1970-71 Ashes and Maclean would not get another opportunity to play for Australia until 1978-79, which was the final season of his first-class career. Current Queensland Cricket chair Kirsten Pike paid tribute to Maclean's significant contribution to the game in the state. "As a player, he led from the front and the tributes from past teammates and the wider community since his passing have emphasised his 'team first' leadership as well as his generous nature," Pike said. "He played in an era that admired tough, dedicated players who gave their all on the field and then enjoyed the camaraderie that followed the game, building life-long friendships along the way. He flew the flag for Queensland in all he did, as a player and then as a coach, businessman and administrator.