Tributes are flowing for former Australian Test bowler, cricket commentator and media personality Max Walker who died overnight, aged 68.

Walker – who also played VFL football for Melbourne – passed away after a battle with myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

When his sporting career ended, Walker earned fame as a colourful and entertaining commentator, prolific author and much-loved television host on the Nine Network.

He served on Channel Nine’s cricket commentary team under Richie Benaud, a former Australian cricket captain who died of melanoma in 2015.

Cricket Australia confirmed Walker’s death on Wednesday morning, paying tribute to the “great character with a big smile”.

Born in Hobart in 1948, he moved to Melbourne to attend university after graduating from Hobart High School in 1967.

He attended the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, where he studied architecture.

Walker leaves behind five children and his wife Kerry.

Just last month, he celebrated his daughter Alexandra’s university graduation, telling the world how proud he was via his Facebook page, which has been inundated with tributes.

He often posted pictures of himself spending time with his children and grandchildren.

A stellar career

Walker played 34 Test matches for Australia, taking 138 wickets at an excellent average of 27.47, using a bowling action that saw him nicknamed ‘Tangles’.

He also featured in 17 one-day internationals for his country.

The multi-talented sportsman also played 85 matches of top-level football for Melbourne, kicking 23 goals.

But it was Walker’s handlebar moustache and laid-back nature that made him such a fan favourite.

In addition to his popular cricket commentary, Walker also became a successful author as his book ‘How To Hypnotise Chooks And Other Great Yarns‘ became a national best-seller.

Walker ultimately wrote 14 books, selling over a million copies of other titles like ‘How To Puzzle a Python‘ and ‘How To Kiss A Crocodile‘.

In 2011 he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia “for service to cricket at a national and international level as a player and commentator, and to the community through a range of youth and social welfare organisations”.

Walker was a prominent face in the It’s Crunch Time campaign, which aimed to encourage people to get screened for bowel cancer.

The tributes to Walker came flooding in on Twitter from a host of cricket figures and Australian identities.

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 AM (@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

Sad to hear of the passing of baggy green player #263 Max Walker! Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends! RIP!

— Nathan Lyon (@NathLyon421) September 27, 2016

We are saddened by the passing of Max Walker. Much loved by all, he shone at the highest level for our club and in test cricket #RIPTangles

— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) September 28, 2016

https://twitter.com/andrewbogut/status/780921510106050561

@ACA_Players @CricketTalkback Vale Max Walker,1 of australia's great blokes who wasn't a bad cricketer/footballer either.Nothing but respect

— Greg Matthews (@GregMomatthews) September 28, 2016

– with ABC