Geelong’s Ian ‘Redders’ Redpath inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame

ONE of Geelong’s own is the newest member of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, with Ian ‘Redders’ Redpath joining the baggy green brethren in Australian cricket folklore.

Last month, the 81-year-old was unveiled at the Allan Border Medal in Sydney as one of two 2023 inductees into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, an honour that he still says feels surreal today.

“It was certainly something that I took great privilege in and something that I am incredibly proud of and honoured to be given,” Mr Redpath said.

“To receive it in front of the current Australian Test team before they headed off to India and Australian cricket icons was quite special.

“It was lovely to catch up with friends and chat to some of the current day players like Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey who were all great fellas.”

Regarded as a brilliant opening batter, Mr Redpath played 66 tests for Australia between 1964 and 1976 and is well remembered for making 97 in his very first innings in the Australian team at the MCG in 1964 against South Africa.

It would take ‘Redders’ six years to hit his first test century, however it was a milestone he would achieve a further seven times before hanging up his baggy green in 1976.

Prior to his 66-test career coming to fruition, Mr Redpath was educated at The Geelong College and played first class cricket for Victoria, scoring 6,103 runs across 92 matches.

The highlight of his youth came when he hit a whopping 261 runs as an opener against a Queensland outfit boasting West Indies player Wes Hall.

“During my career I got to play with and against some very special players including Richie Benaud, Dennis Lillie, Ian Chappell, the list goes on and on,” Mr Redpath said.

“However, my most fond memory was definitely that debut test on the MCG, it was certainly a very special day.

“To also play long enough to tour and travel to all the test countries from 1964-1976 was a great achievement and something I look back on with pride.”

After being a vice captain of the Australian squad during 1974-75 and 1975-76, Redpath would retire at the top of his game, turning away from cricket to pursue an antique shop business with his late wife Christine.

A decade later, ‘Redders’ would return back to the cricket fraternity as the coach of the Victorian state side, playing a huge role in assisting talents like Damien Fleming and Paul Reiffel to reach their potential with the bat and ball.

The Geelong resident remains active with the Geelong Cricket Club and has since retired from the antique business.

“I’m really just enjoying my retirement now and still like watching a bit of cricket,” he said.

“I still enjoying heading down to watch Geelong and supporting them in any way I can.”