Devon Malcolm: My First Test (20 November 1998)

20 November 1998

Devon Malcolm: My First Test

by Philip Spooner

Devon Malcolm had a cruel, but memorable initiation to the big stage.

Thrown in at the deep end at Trent Bridge in 1989 against Allan Border's rampaging Aussies, the strapping Jamaican-born pace man took one wicket for 166 runs off 44 overs as Australia amassed 602 for six declared, to record an innings and 180-run victory.

But, as fate would have it, all was not lost for the big fast bowler. When he returned to play for his county team Derbyshire he received some helpful hints from one of the game's greatest fast men, Michael Holding.

"They were my lifeline," Malcolm said.

"Mikie told me: 'Dev, I can promise you this, I don't believe you'll have a worst game in Test cricket'.

"I looked on the positive of that comment and it was my encouragement throughout my international career."

Bounding in off a lengthy run, the broad-shouldered and bespectacled Malcolm bowled his heart out but could only watch as the Aussies piled on the runs.

At the end of the opening day the scoreboard read: Australia 301-0: Mark Taylor 141, Geoff Marsh 125. The pair posted a record opening stand of 329 with Taylor making 219 and Marsh 138.

However, things could have been better. The 6ft. 5in. Malcolm, bowling with good pace on a less than helpful track, felt he had Marsh lbw early on but the umpire thought otherwise.

"In cricket everybody needs a bit of luck and early on I had Geoff Marsh plumb lbw and ump did not give him," Malcolm recalled with a smile. "From there it was an uphill struggle and we were totally walloped.

"Test cricket is a massive jump from the counties and that game was a real eye-opener."

"The Aussies were very confident and were 3-0 up in the series and were not going to seize up. We had no real answer, they went on to pile the runs up."

Malcolm's lone wicket was that of Steve Waugh, caught by David Gower for a duck. This was a significant first strike, as it put a peg on Waugh, who made 506 runs at an average of 126.50, including two centuries, in the series.

Twenty-six at the time, Malcolm recalled being disappointed that he did not have experienced bowlers at the other end to guide him and provide the necessary advice.

"Most of the top lads had signed to play on a rebel tour of South Africa so I was called up to do the job out of the blue.

"All the pressure was on me as the strike bowler to take the early wickets and things just did not happen," the Malcolm remembered.

"Gower stayed on as captain and Ian Botham was there trying to encourage the guys.

"It was a young team and even the Gower did not really know the guys that well."

Malcolm, a genuine No.11 never noted for his batting, remembered clouting a six off leg-spinner Trevor Hohns during his first innings of nine.

"He had all the fielders pushed back, but I knew that if he threw it up I could clear them easily. He went up and I lashed a big one.

"My batting was the highlight of my debut," he said with a wide smile.

In the second innings Malcolm, as was the case often in his career, was last man out, this time for five, to give the Aussies victory.

Malcolm remembered two instances in his Test career which might be fresh in the memories of West Indian fans.

His second Test was in Jamaica on the 1990 tour and he got the wicket of Viv Richards in both innings as England, under Graham Gooch, recorded a shock victory.

When the series switched to Barbados, Malcolm resumed the battle with Richards.

"Jamaica set the tone and I was not planning to back down from this one. The crowd was vociferous and he hit me for 19 in an over - my most expensive in Test cricket - but I thought I could get him," Malcolm said.

"Two sixes just cleared the boundary behind square and another ball was top-edged.

"I pleaded with Allan Lamb for another over but his did not give me. I felt I could get 'Vivvy'."

Another encounter with a West Indian great came when he met Brian Lara in 1994 at Sabina Park when Lara called for eye drops to solve the problem of Malcolm's pace.

"That was one of my best spells. Lara was in his prime but I knew he did not like it coming into his body. I tested him continuously and he almost gave in," Malcolm recalled.

"When I had my benefit a few years ago Michael Manley wrote an article and he said that was one of the finest spells he had seen. Also Fred Rumsey told me recently it was a fine spell. Getting such compliments from these men was an honour."

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)