The ball to Gooch genuinely seems to speed up off the pitch. Malcolm Denzil Marshall was a West Indian cricketer. Back in 2009, Ben Dobson wrote about Malcolm Marshall, a smiling Bajan revered as one of the world’s greatest-ever fast bowlers. Malcolm Marshall bowled with an angular run-up instead of a straight run-up. He is the proud new owner of the fastest delivery in Test cricket, but Australian paceman Mitchell Starc will have to wait a bit longer before being accepted into the 100-mile club. In the third Test of the series at Headingley, Leeds, in 1984, he fractured his thumb, while fielding, during the first session of play and his left hand had to be placed inside a cast. Wasim Akram – Pakistan 1985-2002. In my opinion, even without experiencing much more of them than YouTube highlights, the best Test fast bowler ever was Malcolm Marshall. "target": "https://www.onmanorama.com/search-results-page.html?q={search_term_string}", The Marshall bouncer tended to skid on to you. Malcolm Marshall bowled with an angular run-up instead of a straight run-up. The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. This incident created such an impact on the mind of Marshall that he swore revenge, when the opportunity arose. More than the number of wickets, it was the pace he generated and the menace he conveyed that shocked the Indians. Malcolm Marshall made the 1983 Kanpur Test memorable for West Indies Earlier that day, Marshall scored 92 and alongwith Gordon Greenidge put on a … The second Test of the series between India and the West Indies, played at Bangalore in December, 1978, does not have any statistic worth recollecting except the debut of Marshall. The world’s best cricketers in the world had the time and the inclination to hone their skills on the county circuit. Very few players in the history of the game have played with such a big heart and roared like a lion as he did. His Test bowling averageof 20.94 is the best of anyone who has taken 200 or more wickets. Andy Lloyd got hit by one of his bouncers to such an extent that he had blurred vision for many days and did not again play test cricket for England. He picked up 11 wickets at Port of Spain, the venue that had traditionally favoured the tourists, to help seal a 217-run win for the hosts. Marshall scores above the other fast bowling greats of his era on two aspects. Primarily a fast bowler, Marshall is regarded as one of the finest and fastest pacemen ever to have played Test cricket. He had a special affinity for England and reserved his best for them. Lillee never played in India and had a miserable tour of Pakistan in 1980 when he picked up just three wickets. Select from premium Malcolm Marshall of the highest quality. Through the early part of 1980s Marshall was easily the fastest bowler in the world. However, for the player concerned, it was a shattering experience. Bob Willis had the same kind of run-up, but he was not as fast as Marshall. It was great for the punters but it wasn’t so great for the blokes who had to face Michael Holding (Lancashire and Derbyshire), Malcolm Marshall (Hampshire), Joel Garner (Somerset) or Sylvester Clarke (Surrey). The same book says that both Frank Tyson and Brian Statham were timed at just under 90mph (144.8kph). His early demise, at the age of 41, was a huge loss for the cricketing world, particularly the younger generation, who could have gained from his expertise and experience. Few bowlers could move the ball, and that too both ways, when bowling at his pace. Back in 2002, the Pakistani paceman became the first bowler to break the 100mph barrier, and his record for the fastest ball bowled in international cricket has stood for almost 17 years. He made his first class debut for Barbados during the 1977-78 season and was fortunate in getting a call into the national side that toured India under Alvin Kallicharran the next season. } For 13 cricketers, two umpires and a couple of thousand spectators the earth stood still: all eyes were on a cricket ball that was scorching a pathway to the boundary. In his autobiography “Marshall Arts” he has written in great detail about his tussle with Vengsarkar, and how his anger reached a crescendo when the batsman, while standing at non striker's end, pointed out to the umpire that Marshall was overstepping and bowling no-balls. Marshall immediately made his presence felt in county cricket and benefitted immensely from pitting his skills against the best batsmen in the world. The exodus of top players to the Kerry Packer sponsored World Series Cricket (WSC) created plenty of vacancies in the squad and selectors saw in Marshall an exciting prospect worthy of investment for future, enabling him to make the journey to India. However, before long, he was diagnosed as having cancer of colon (lower part of gastro intestinal tract). Thus, he possessed in his arsenal all the weapons of trade and, more importantly, knew the opportune times for using them. What made Malcolm Marshall cut a distinct figure was the very frame responsible for producing furious spells of fast bowling. One can easily reel off the names of at least 10 fast bowlers from the Caribean islands who would have walked into any international side. Bob Willis had the same kind of run-up, but he was not as fast as Marshall. The world saw the last of Malcolm Marshall with the ball, and Viv Richards with the bat. In the first Test at Kanpur, he helped skipper Lloyd to steady the innings with a knock of 92 after which claimed four wickets in each innings. It was the beginning of a long partnership that was to prove fruitful for both parties. Marshall ended with 376 wickets, a West Indian record till Walsh went past him seven years later. The first was his performance in the subcontinent. "url": "https://www.onmanorama.com/", Marshall ended with 376 wickets, a West Indian record till Walsh went past him seven years later. Please upgrade your browser. There was nothing that Malcolm Marshall could not do with a cricket ball. He could swing the ball … © COPYRIGHT 2020 MANORAMA ONLINE. First innings at his pace 11in and this made him predominantly awkward in... In their run-up anyone who has taken 200 or more wickets his 376 from! Relatively small for a duck in the world years later such an impact on the county that... Is off stump brutally knocked out of his career and took 376,! 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