BRIDGETOWN, (BARBADOS), NOV 5: Malcolm Marshall, one of Test cricket's greatest pace bowlers who was the scourge of batsmen for nearly two decades, died in hospital at the age of 41. Marshall is survived by his wife Connie, whom he married two months ago, and his son.Marshall was suffering from cancer of the colon and became ill during the World Cup in England last May when he had to stand down as coach of the West Indies team and undergo surgery.The CANA news agency said that he died in a local hospital at 5.30 last evening, with former team mates, including Desmond Haynes and Wes Hall, at his bedside.Marshall was one of a series of outstanding West Indies pacemen, a much-loved player who made the team such a force in Test cricket during the 1970s and 1980s. He played in 81 Tests, taking 376 wickets at an average of 20.94 and was a feared opponent with his unusual grip of the ball and unique whippy action.Those statistics made him the most prolific wicket-taker in West Indies cricket historyuntil Courtney Walsh overtook him in November last year.Malcolm Denzil Marshall was born here on April 18, 1958. He played 408 first-class matches and took 1,651 wickets (average of 19.10). He also scored 11,004 runs at a useful average of 24.83 with seven hundreds.One of his greatest days came during a Test at Headingley, Leeds, in 1984.After breaking a thumb, he returned to bat at No 11 and help Larry Gomes to a century before destroying England with a memorable display of fast bowling that brought him figures of 7-53. He was at his deadliest best in 1988 when he scared the life out of England's batsmen in the Caribbean, claiming 35 wickets at an average of 12.65.Marshall's illustrious career also saw him claim 157 victims in One-Day Internationals. He also played English county cricket for Hampshire, for whom he was leading wicket-taker with 134 in the 1982 season and topped the averages in 1986 and 1988, and in South Africa for Durban.Marshall had only one thing to say to everyone: ``I amalways positive about life. I never concern myself with things over which I have no control.''Once out of hospital, Marshall tied the nupital knot with Connie, his girlfriend for 13 years.CRICKETING WORLD REMEMBERS TERROR OF MARSHALL LAWMarshall's variety was amazing. He could use the old ball as effectively as the new. Batsmen could never relax for a moment when he was bowling - Sunil GavaskarIt is a great loss to cricket to lose somebody well before his time - Kapil Dev, former India captain and present coach n Marshall held sway in the 80s. He had a great ability not just to bowl quick but what makes it worse for the batsman, the ability to do a lot with the ball. He could swing the ball, move the ball.He was hugely talented, naturally talented, whippy, wiry, strong - Former England captain David GowerIt's a tragedy for cricket, especially West Indian cricket for whom he was putting so much into the game as a coach. It's scary someone of my era in thegame has gone - Australian captain Steve WaughMalcolm was one of the cleverest fast bowlers in cricket. He was my fast bowling idol. He was very skillful in picking up the weaknesses and mistakes of the batsmen. He was a nice fellow off the field but a fierce competitor on it - Pakistan captain Wasim AkramTo me, apart from Wasim Akram, Marshall was the greatest fast bowler in the world - Former Indian captain Krishnamachari SrikkanthMarshall was the most complete bowler of the modern era. His excellent record in India and Pakistan is proof of his greatness as a bowler. He was the fastest of the West Indian quicks. He was an all condition bowler who could produce excellent spells in 40 degrees - Former India skipper Ravi ShastriOne of the best fast bowlers I had ever faced. He was an awkward customer bowling round the wicket. He was a great athlete despite his lack of inches - former India skipper Dilip VengsarkarHis bowling wasjust very special. He had stamina, longevity and expertise and was technically different the way he held the ball. Without doubt the quickest bowler individually and the quickest consistently at the time - Greg Matthews, former Australian all-rounder and Marshall's team-mate at Sydney's Waverley ClubHe gave no respite to the batsmen and often made even those with great techniques feel very uncomfortable - Former New Zealand wicket-keeper Ian SmithHe was the most fearsome of opponents on the field.One of the best fast bowlers I ever faced and probably one of greatest of all time - Alec Stewart, former England captainHe will go down as one of the great modern fast bowlers. He was quick and skiddy, who could move the ball both ways. He was one complete fast bowler. Everyone in cricket will miss him - Former England captain Mike Atherton
