Malcolm Marshall’s Top 3 Performances in Test Cricket

Malcolm Marshall was a cricketing legend known for his lethal pace and skillful bowling. A key member of the formidable West Indies pace quartet in the 1980s, Marshall terrorized batsmen with his aggressive style and impeccable accuracy. Renowned for his ability to swing and seam the ball, Marshall’s mastery of fast bowling made him a formidable opponent in all conditions. Despite his fierce competitiveness on the field, Marshall was admired for his humility and sportsmanship off it. Tragically, his life was cut short by colon cancer in 1999, but his legacy continues to inspire future generations of cricketers. Marshall’s contributions to the game were posthumously honored with induction into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame in 2009. 

On that note let us look at the top three of his best performances in the longest format of the game:

3. 7/80 vs New Zealand, Bridgetown, 1985

During the third test of the New Zealand tour of West Indies, Marshall turned with his game and made an all-round contribution both with the ball as well as bat in hand. The West Indies with a bowler in the first innings ripped apart the New Zealand batting line up with a bowling figure of 4/15. In addition, 1st innings he played a crucial knock of 63 runs which helped West Indies to reach the target of 336 runs in their first innings. In the second with the ball in hand, the right-arm pacer registered a bowling figure of 7/80. For his brilliant performance throughout the game, Marshall was also awarded as the Player of the Match.

2. 7/53 vs England, Leeds, 1984

After suffering an injury in the first innings of the third test match between West Indies and England in 1984, Marshall made a terrific return in the second innings and ripped apart the English batting lineup in the Test match. Moreover, after the end of the first innings for both the teams the game looked even. But it was the spell of Malcolm Marshall in the second inning that turned the tide in the favour of West Indies. He registered a breathtaking bowling figure of 7 for 53 and restricted England to a total of 159 runs.

1. 7/22 vs England, Manchester, 1988

In the third test between England and West Indies, the legendary pacer Malcolm Marshall registered his best bowling figure in the longest format of the game. In addition to it, in the first innings, Marshall Marshall also contributed with the bat as he played a steady knock of 43 runs. Moreover, the English team faced the real wrath of Marshal in the second innings where he completely dismantled the English batting lineup for a total of 93 runs. He finished the game with the bowling figure of 7 for 22 and was also adjourned as the Player of the Match for his brilliant performance.