Malcolm Denzil Marshall was a Barbadian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. The right-arm fast bowler represented West Indies from 1978 to 1992 and became a legendary figure in international cricket despite standing at just 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm). Born on April 18, 1958, Marshall would have been 66 years old in 2025 had he lived, but tragically passed away on November 4, 1999, at the age of 41. Known for his devastating pace, exceptional swing, and lethal bouncer, Marshall dominated world cricket during the 1980s and remains an inspiration for fast bowlers worldwide.
Personal Details
Detail
Information
Full Name
Malcolm Denzil Marshall
Nickname
Maco
Height
5 feet 11 inches (180 cm)
Date of Birth
April 18, 1958
Date of Death
November 4, 1999
Age at Death
41 years
Place of Birth
Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados
Religion
Christian
Status
Married (to Connie Roberta Earle in 1999)
Playing Style
Aspect
Description
Batting Style
Right-hand Bat
Bowling Style
Right-arm Fast
Primary Role
Bowler (Lower-order batsman)
Jersey Number
Note: Jersey numbers were not commonly used in international cricket during Marshall’s playing era (1978-1992). The practice of numbered jerseys became standard in ODIs only in the late 1990s.
Format
Jersey Number
International
Not applicable (pre-numbered era)
County Cricket
Not applicable
Debut Dates
Format
Date
Opponent
Venue
Test
December 15, 1978
India
Bangalore (Karnataka State CA Ground)
ODI
November 8, 1980
Pakistan
Melbourne Cricket Ground
First-Class
February 13, 1978
Jamaica (for Barbados)
Kensington Oval, Bridgetown
County Cricket
April 1979
Derbyshire (for Hampshire)
Derby
County Cricket Career & Earnings
Note: Marshall played primarily county cricket for Hampshire (1979-1993) and later for Natal in South Africa (1992-93, 1995-96). Financial details of county contracts from the 1980s and 1990s are not publicly documented in the same manner as modern cricket.
Years
Team
Notable Achievements
1979-1993
Hampshire (England)
826 first-class wickets at 18.64 average
1992-93, 1995-96
Natal (South Africa)
68 wickets in 17 matches at 18.02 average
1982
Melbourne Moorabbin
First active international cricketer in Sub-District league
During his Hampshire career, Marshall was one of the highest-paid overseas players of his era, though exact salary figures were not disclosed publicly during that period.
Net Worth and Assets
Type
Details
Estimated Net Worth (at time of death)
Not publicly documented
Career Earnings
County contracts, Test match fees, coaching roles
Assets
Properties in Barbados and England (specific details undisclosed)
Cars
Not publicly documented
International Contract
West Indies Cricket Board contracts (1978-1992)
Brand Endorsements
Limited endorsements during playing career
Notable Offer
Turned down US$1 million offer to join rebel tour to South Africa
Coaching Roles
Hampshire coach (1996), West Indies coach (1996-1999)
Parkinson Comprehensive School, St Michael, Barbados (1969-1973)
University
Did not attend university
Cricket Training
Trained by grandfather and local clubs in Barbados
Complete Career Statistics
Format
Matches
Innings
Runs
Highest Score
Average
Strike Rate
100s
50s
Test
81
107
1,810
92
18.85
42.97
0
10
ODI
136
79
955
66
17.85
71.13
0
1
First-Class
408
500
11,004
117
24.83
–
7
55
List A
295
175
2,898
77
20.55
–
0
6
Bowling Statistics
Format
Matches
Wickets
Best Bowling (Innings)
Best Bowling (Match)
Average
Economy
Strike Rate
Test
81
376
7/22
11/89
20.94
2.69
46.7
ODI
136
157
4/18
4/18
26.96
3.54
45.6
First-Class
408
1,651
8/71
–
19.10
–
–
List A
295
391
5/13
5/13
23.46
–
–
Career Highlights
Year
Achievement
1978
Made Test debut for West Indies against India
1982
Took record 134 first-class wickets for Hampshire
1983
Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year
1983-84
Took 33 Test wickets against India, scored highest Test score of 92
1984
Key player in “Blackwash” series – West Indies won 5-0 in England
1984
Bowled with broken thumb to take 7/53 at Headingley
1988
Took 7/22 at Old Trafford against England on spinner-friendly pitch
1986
Hampshire won Sunday League with Marshall taking 100 Championship wickets
1990
Reached number 1 in ICC Test bowling rankings
1991
Played 81st and final Test match at The Oval
1992
Won Benson & Hedges Cup with Hampshire
1992
Played final ODI at World Cup in Australia/New Zealand
Major Trophies & Awards
Year
Competition/Trophy
Significance
1983
Wisden Cricketer of the Year
Recognition of excellence in English cricket
1992
Benson & Hedges Cup Winner
Hampshire’s triumph at Lord’s
2009
ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
Posthumous induction
2000
Malcolm Marshall Memorial Trophy
Trophy created in his honor for England-West Indies series
–
Wisden All-Time Test World XI
Selected in 150th anniversary team
Additional Achievements
Achievement
Context
Best Test bowling average (200+ wickets)
20.94 average – second best in history
West Indies’ leading Test wicket-taker
376 wickets (record until 1998)
Hampshire’s greatest overseas player
Named in multiple polls
Marshall Drive at Rose Bowl
Road named in his honor at Hampshire’s ground
Mentored Shaun Pollock
Influential coach during Natal career
22 Test five-wicket hauls
Multiple match-winning performances
1,651 first-class wickets
Average of 19.10
Rejected rebel tour
Turned down $1 million to maintain integrity
Death Date and Cause
Malcolm Marshall passed away on November 4, 1999, in Bridgetown, Barbados, at the age of 41. He was diagnosed with colon cancer during the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England, and despite chemotherapy treatment, the disease progressed rapidly. He returned to Barbados and married his longtime partner Connie Roberta Earle in September 1999, just weeks before his death. His funeral was attended by thousands, with five West Indian captains serving as pallbearers.
Fastest Delivery
During Malcolm Marshall’s playing era in the 1980s and early 1990s, speed guns were not as widely used or accurate as today’s technology. However, various accounts suggest that Marshall consistently bowled at speeds exceeding 90 mph (145 km/h) throughout his career, comparable to other great fast bowlers like Michael Holding and Dennis Lillee. What made him particularly lethal was not just raw pace but his ability to generate sharp, skiddy bounce from his 5 feet 11 inches frame, which made the ball hurry onto batsmen faster than expected.
Interesting Facts
Malcolm Marshall’s father died in a traffic accident when he was just one year old, and he was raised by his mother and grandfather who taught him cricket.
In the famous 1984 Headingley Test, Marshall broke his left thumb while fielding but still came out to bat one-handed (with pink plaster) and then bowled 26 overs to take 7 for 53, one of cricket’s most courageous performances.
Marshall took a record 134 first-class wickets for Hampshire in 1982, a figure no one else matched in county cricket for the last 32 years of the 20th century.
Despite being nearly penniless in 1982, he turned down a £50,000 offer to join a rebel tour to South Africa, choosing to maintain his integrity and West Indies career.
He was a pioneer in video analysis, obtaining videos of Indian batsmen before touring India to study their techniques—decades ahead of his time in cricket preparation.
Post-Retirement Career
After retiring from international cricket in 1992, Malcolm Marshall returned to Hampshire as coach in 1996. He simultaneously took on the role of West Indies coach, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of cricketers. During this period, he also coached Natal in South Africa, where he made a significant impact on young fast bowlers, particularly Shaun Pollock, who credits Marshall as a major influence on his career.
Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, Malcolm Marshall revolutionized fast bowling despite his relatively modest height of 5 feet 11 inches. Throughout his illustrious career spanning 14 years at the international level, he represented West Indies in 81 Tests and 136 ODIs, cementing his place as arguably the finest fast bowler of his generation. His devastating combination of pace, swing, and tactical intelligence, coupled with his tireless work ethic, made him virtually unplayable on his day.
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