Vale Neil Marks OAM (1938-2024)

Cricket NSW | January 28, 2024

The NSW cricket community is in mourning following the passing yesterday, of former Blues player and NSW Cricket Association Life Member, Neil Marks OAM, aged 85.

Marks made a significant contribution to cricket as a player and administrator, awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to cricket in 2019. He was made a life member of Cricket NSW in 2000.

Neil is the son of the late Alec Marks and, elder brother of Lynn Marks, both of whom played First Class cricket for NSW.

On the field, Marks (NSW cap #510) was a brilliant left-handed batter who made 568 runs from 10 First Class matches during a career cut short by ill health. He averaged 47.33 with bat in hand with a highest score of 180 not out, made on First Class debut in 1958 against South Australia. He made the majority of his First Class runs during his debut Sheffield Shield season, scoring 502 runs at the stunning average of 71.71.

A long-time servant of the Northern District Cricket Club, in the Sydney Premier Cricket competition, Marks played 18 seasons in the top grade plundering 6,783 runs at an average of just under 40.

Not only did he contribute to NSW cricket on the field, Marks also served as a state selector between 1987/88 and 1998/99.

Marks was also an accomplished author, having had several books published about cricket.

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said Marks’ passing had left all in the NSW cricket community saddened.

“Neil had a lifelong affinity with cricket that saw him represent the NSW Blues as a player and selector, before being honoured with life membership of the association and an OAM,” Germon said.

“I know I speak for countless people within the cricket community in offering our deepest condolences to his family, former teammates, the Northern District Cricket Club and all of those whose life Neil has impacted.”