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Cricket legend Malcolm Marshall dies

Former West Indies bowler Malcolm Marshall has died from colon cancer in Barbados at the age of 41.

Marshall played for the West Indies from 1976 to 1991 and held the record as its leading wicket taker, at 376, until Courtney Walsh passed the mark in November 1998.

He also took 157 wickets in one-day internationals, and more than 800 for his English county side, Hampshire.

His love-affair with the county was crowned with victory over Kent in the 1992 Benson and Hedges Cup.

Marshall was one of the stars of the West Indies team which dominated international cricket for more than a decade from the mid-1970s.

He formed a formidable quartet of fast bowlers alongside others such as Joel Garner, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding and Colin Croft.

"He is the best fast bowler I think we have produced, along with Michael Holding and Wes Hall," said Croft.

"I think the entire world will mourn Malcolm. He was everybody's friend - to Barbados, West Indian cricket, the rest of the Caribbean, Hampshire and everywhere he's gone.

"I do not know anybody who would say anything bad about Malcolm Marshall, as a person or as a cricketer."

Bridgetown-born Marshall was a West Indian coach as recently as this summer's World Cup in England, but was taken ill after complaining of stomach pains during the tournament.

He underwent surgery, which was thought to have been a success and had said: "I am now looking forward to making a full recovery as soon as I can."

On Wednesday he was admitted to hospital in his native Barbados, where he died on Friday.

Peter Short, the former West Indies Cricket Association president said the news was a tremendous shock.

"Malcolm was one of the world's greatest fast bowlers, a great thinker and a well-balanced individual who gave his best whether batting or bowling."

At just over 5ft 10in, Marshall was small for a modern-day fast bowler, but combined great accuracy and cunning to claim his wickets.

Only five men have claimed more Test victims than the West Indian, who has received tributes from throughout the cricketing world.

'Fast bowling idol'

Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said he had been his fast bowling idol.

"His skills were to pick the mistakes of batsmen straight away and spot their weaknesses," he said.

"He was a nice fellow off the field, but a fierce competitor on it and on the behalf of the Pakistan team I offer my condolences to his family."

Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev said Marshall's devestating slinging action was the key for the only bowler he could remember who rattled the legendary Sunil Gavaskar.

"On a green pitch at Kanpur, Marshall hit Sunil on the arm and the bat flew out of his hand. I said `wow' - I had never seen such a thing before."

Marshall is survived by a son and his wife, Connie, whom he married two months ago.

Read the messages that have come in so far.

Relevant Stories

At a glance: Marshall tribues (05 Nov 99 | Cricket)
Malcolm Marshall: Scourge of batsmen (05 Nov 99 | Cricket)
The rise and fall of the Windies (09 Dec 97 | Cricket)
Bowel cancer (23 Sep 98 | Medical notes)

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