Malcolm Marshall stood just 5 ft 11 in, short for a fast bowler, yet he is widely regarded as one of the greatest quicks the game has seen. The Barbadian took 376 Test wickets at an average of 20.94 for the great West Indies side of the 1980s.
He was also a Hampshire hero for more than a decade, and his story is one of skill, courage and lasting influence. Explore our cricket collection as you read.
Malcolm Marshall Fact File
| Full name | Malcolm Denzil Marshall |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 18 April 1958 |
| Place of birth | Bridgetown, Barbados |
| Died | 4 November 1999, Bridgetown (aged 41) |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Role | Right-arm fast bowler |
| Nationality | Barbadian (West Indies) |
| Teams | West Indies, Barbados, Hampshire, Natal |
Career History
| Format | Years | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 1978–1991 | 81 | 376 | 20.94 | 7/22 |
| ODIs | 1980–1992 | 136 | 157 | 26.96 | 4/18 |
| First-class | 408 | 1,651 | 19.10 | 8/71 |
Average is runs conceded per wicket; best shows his best bowling figures in a single innings.
Early Years and Test Debut
Marshall made his Test debut against India in Bangalore in December 1978, aged 20, with only one first-class match behind him. In 1979 he joined Hampshire, beginning a county career that would make him a legend at the club.
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Hampshire's Hero
In 1982 Marshall took 134 County Championship wickets for Hampshire, 44 more than anyone else, and earned selection as one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1983. He took 826 first-class wickets for the county at 18.64 and helped them win the Sunday League in 1986 and the Benson and Hedges Cup in 1992.
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Headingley 1984 and the 1988 Tour
At Headingley in 1984 Marshall broke his left thumb, batted one-handed at No. 11 so Larry Gomes could reach a century, then took 7/53 with his hand in plaster.
On the 1983/84 tour of India he took 33 Test wickets and made his highest Test score, 92 at Kanpur. His finest series came in England in 1988, when he took 35 wickets in five Tests at 12.65, including a Test-best 7/22 at Old Trafford. When he retired from Test cricket at The Oval in 1991, with Graham Gooch his final wicket, his 376 wickets were a West Indies record.
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Coach and Legacy
Marshall later played for Natal in South Africa and became coach of both West Indies and Hampshire in 1996. He died in Bridgetown on 4 November 1999, aged 41, after being diagnosed with colon cancer. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.
Honours
International
- 376 Test wickets, a West Indies record at his retirement
- Member of the 1979 World Cup-winning squad
County
- Sunday League 1986 (Hampshire)
- Benson and Hedges Cup 1992 (Hampshire)
Individual
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1983
- ICC Hall of Fame (2009)
Away From the Game
The Malcolm Marshall Memorial Trophy is awarded to the leading wicket-taker in England v West Indies Test series. At Hampshire's ground, Marshall Drive honours him and Roy Marshall, and his son Mali played him in the 2021 film 83.
FAQs
How old was Malcolm Marshall when he died?
He died on 4 November 1999 aged 41. He was born on 18 April 1958.
Where was Malcolm Marshall born?
He was born in Bridgetown, Barbados.
How tall was Malcolm Marshall?
He was 1.80 m, or 5 ft 11 in, short for a fast bowler.
How many Test wickets did Malcolm Marshall take?
376 in 81 Tests at an average of 20.94.
Which county did Malcolm Marshall play for?
Hampshire, from 1979 to 1993, before returning as coach.
What happened at Headingley in 1984?
Marshall broke his thumb, batted one-handed and then took 7/53 with his hand in plaster.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Viv Richards and Ian Botham.
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