![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/505000/images/_505421_marshall1980_150.jpg)
BBC Cricket Correspondent Jonathan Agnew played against the late Malcolm Marshall at Test and county level, and remembers him as a ruthless opponent whose company he relished.
Of all the great modern day West Indian fast bowlers, Malcolm Marshall was possibly the most skilled.
He led the second wave after Andy Roberts and Michael Holding had changed the face of modern cricket in 1976.
Marshall generated a wicked pace from only a short, scampered run-up and a surprisingly slender frame.
In his early days, pace was everything, but in the latter-part of his career, Marshall became renowned as a highly intelligent pace bowler.
He was capable of bowling virtually any delivery, and while he always did so with a bit of a stare and a glare at the batsman, behind that was a lovely, warm Barbadian smile.
Like all top-class sportsmen, Marshall relished a challenge.
Although I remember him well, my fondest recollection is one shared by millions of fans.
In 1984 he took seven wickets for the West Indies against England at Headingley, despite bowling 26 overs with his left arm in plaster.
Amazingly he also batted one-handed, scoring four runs as he steered Larry Gomes to a century.
This effort was typical of the man.
![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/505000/images/_505421_marshall_hants1992_150.jpg)
In all, Marshall claimed 376 wickets for the West Indies at the astonishing average of only 20 runs each.
And he was certainly no mug with the bat, taking this side of the game extremely seriously and performing a dangerously effective role in the lower order.
It was a delight that he played 13 years with Hampshire, taking a stack of wickets and leading them them to victory in the Benson and Hedges final of 1992.
But his presence in England gave those of us playing on the county circuit in the 1980s a chance to get to know him, and relish his company - off the field at any rate.
He was much more than just a ruthless fast bowler, and I recall him as an energetic enthusiast for cricket.
![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/505000/images/_506136_agnew150.jpg)
The sudden nature of Marshall's death was a tragedy for West Indian cricket, and for his many friends.
He had appeared to be settling in to a new life as the international side's coach when he was struck down with cancer of the colon as recently as May.
The really sad thing was that the people who knew him believed he was getting better, and an operation performed during the World Cup was thought to have been a success.
He married his long-time love, Connie, shortly afterwards and recently returned to Barbados to recuperate from an intense course of chemotherapy.
At only 41 years of age, news of his death is desperately sad.
Read the messages that have come in so far.
Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.
At a glance: Marshall tributes
(05 Nov 99 | Cricket)
Cricket legend Malcolm Marshall dies
(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)
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Plucky England hang around
Saqlain stars in Aussie collapse
Solanki breathes life into draw
Headley on the mend
Black player drafted for England match
Worcester keep faith with McGrath
England 'A' battle on
ECB war against racism
New Zealand series 'rigged' - claim
England crank up the pace
Butcher beefs up England total
England 'A' ease to victory
Cricket ticket plan for ethnic minorities
Aussie win welcomes Waugh junior
Caddick takes double honour
Gough returns for tour game
Butcher facing chop
England scramble to a draw
Indians make world record stand
Cricket legend Malcolm Marshall dies
Malcolm Marshall: Scourge of batsmen
At a glance: Marshall tributes
An energetic enthusiast for cricket
Mashud denies England A