Friends recall peerless artist

Tributes are still pouring in for Malcolm Marshall, the great West Indian fast bowler, who died nearly two weeks ago.

Richard Prof Edwards, himself a former Barbados and West Indies fast bowler, said Marshalls style and approach to the game provided plenty of enjoyment to anyone watching him.

Youd like to remember Malcolm, in his prime, really racing in and bowling fast, making batsmen uncomfortable, Edwards said.

Ive seen him come from a little fella right through to be an outstanding fast bowler. He was top class.

Off the field, Edwards said Marshall always had time to talk about the art he perfected.

Whenever you met him, he discussed cricket. He had a keen analytical brain about cricket, and as a person, he was always willing to sit down and talk with you, he said.

Any person who would come to him, he had time for. That is the sort of person he was.

He was never too great. He was never big-up. He was just a humble person, always willing to share his knowledge and feelings with other people.

Several of Marshalls contemporaries flew in for last Saturdays funeral at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, but none had to travel the distance that Phil Simmons did.

Simmons, the 36-year-old Trinidadian who an-nounced his retirement from international cricket earlier this year, interrupted a professional contract in South Africa and journeyed halfway cross the world to pay final respects to his former team-mate and coach.

Distance doesnt matter at all, especially when you think about who it is and what he has done for us, Simmons said.

Its a very small journey. Its one that if I didnt take, I would have regretted it.

Simmons, who made his Test debut in 1987 when Marshall was at his devastating best, said Marshall's attitude to cricket was exemplary.

I will always remember the competitive side of Malcolm in anything he did. Even when he was coach he was in the nets still trying to get you out.

David Murray, who kept wicket in the early part of Marshalls Test career, always thought his colleague would go on to big things from the time they were little boys living in Station Hill, St. Michael.

We lived just a couple houses apart. The enthusiasm was there from early and I always knew he would have made it, Murray said.

He loved the game from small. He was a student of the game; that is why he became so great. He learned quickly.

Sylvester Clarke re-members very clearly the 1980-81 tour of Pakistan in which he had the opportunity to bowl alongside Marshall.

Michael Holding pulled out with an injury and I got my chance, Clarke recalled.

I could remember telling Malcolm, I got my break. Ive got to hang in here. In any case, I will get dropped, so I have to get some wickets to keep my place.

He said the same thing, and he bowled well in Karachi. He used to swing the ball a lot and with pace. I dont know where he learned it from.