The Gentle Destroyer

Here today, gone tommorow, believe me, life is that fragile, that fleeting; occasionally, someone leaves their mark in this world which supercedes us mere mortals. Such a man was Malcolm Marshall.

Ask Mikey Holding, Big Bird, Gatt, Beefy, Mark Nicholas or the Judge on how great he was technically. A thinking man's assassin with a cricket ball, making it swing, leap swerve and talk to this command.

An attacking batsman, a proud West Indian with a compassionate soul and a devoted Hampshire man. Macca played against the Bunburys many times, but I knew him years before. There is a wonderful tale, which I will tell you.

Many years after the great Sir Gary Sobers had retired to enjoy the golf course and to dine out on "being a legend", he was asked to make one last appearance in a charity match in his native Barbados.

Out strode the greater allrounder to take guard and to absorb the warm accolades from a sell-out crowd. His opponent was a young fast bowler who was rapidly making his name through the Island's ranks. In ran the eighteen year-old, full of respect for Sir Gary but doubly determined to take his wicket.

As the ball zipped past Sobers' nose, King Gary knew that he had to make a quick decision. Either he "could get out professionally" or take on the young whirlwind.

Like Jesse James strapping on his guns for one last showdown, Gary decided to "go back" forty years and confront this precocious young bounty hunter. That day he scored eighty runs, displaying his mighty repertoire of strokes, before walking off to tremendous applause and collapsing in the dressing room, totally exhausted, mentally and physically.

It had been a mighty battle of wits and skill between the master and the sorcerer's apprentice. The eighteen years old was Malcolm Marshall.

Macca was a gentle soul off the field, full of fun and mischief, always willing to encourage and advise bringing a magical warmth to any occasion he attended.

Farewell Malcolm, We love you.

No doubt you're showing the angels in Heaven how to swing the ball, laugh and just to enjoy life.