Hamish Marshall, a stylish middle-order batsman, has played 13 Tests and 66 one-day internationals for New Zealand. He made three centuries but gave up his international career, turning down a central contract for 2007/08 to play for Gloucestershire using an Irish passport; and briefly held ambitions to return to international cricket with Ireland

He made his Test debut against South Africa in December 2000; batting at No. 7, Marshall made an unbeaten 40, and showed great maturity and promise. But he was not picked again and had to wait for another three years to get his chance when he was called up for the one-day series in Pakistan in 2003-04. In his third game, he scored an impressive 101 not out at Faisalabad, and later scored 64 and 84 to help New Zealand win the corresponding home series.

He then helped New Zealand to win the 2003-04 home one-day series against South Africa, and was called up for the 2004 NatWest Series in England. He scored 75 not out and 55 in the group matches before contributing a solid 44 as New Zealand won the final against West Indies.

His maiden Test century came in March 2005 against Australia, no less - an innings of 146, in which he was unshakeable against pace, although Brett Lee had been omitted. Another big hundred, this time 160, came at the hands of the Sri Lankans in April, which sparked the interest of Gloucestershire who, in November, signed him and his team-mate Shane Bond for 2006. Marshall struggled to hold down a place in New Zealand's ODI side through 2006-07 and although he was not picked in the World Cup squad, he later joined the team as a replacement when Lou Vincent broke his wrist. Marshall played three games in the Caribbean but surprised New Zealand by refusing a national contract for 2007-08 so he could pursue a career in county cricket.

His career with Gloucestershire began as an overseas player in 2006 where he scored 102 against Worcestershire on début and finished the season with 1,218 runs at 60.90. That year he also made his highest score for the county, 168 against Leicestershire at Cheltenham. But since making the move permanent he has failed to match that mark and suffered a torrid 2011 season, making only 401 runs in 19 innings. He has not scored a century since 2009.

His one-day fortunes have been of modest return. He made centuries in the pro40 against Sussex in 2007 at Hove and Middlesex at Bristol in 2008. He also struck a T20 century against Worcestershire as Gloucestershire went all the way to the 2007 final. And in 2011, along with Kevin O'Brien, played in the first T20 innings where two players had scored centuries; Gloucestershire's 254 for 3 against Middlesex at Uxbridge broke the domestic T20 world record.

Marshall also played in the rebel Indian Cricket League in 2008 for the Royal Bengal Tigers. And his twin brother James has also played for New Zealand.
ESPNcricinfo staff