BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC):

One of the leading British publications has hailed legendary late Barbados and West Indies fast bowler, Malcolm Marshall, as the greatest fast bowler of all time.

The Daily Telegraph, under the headline "Memories of Marshall stir in Barbados", described Marshall as the best of the best as in an era when "West Indies ruled game".

Writing in his daily dispatch, veteran writer Scyld Berry noted: "Marshall is widely regarded as the best fast bowler ever. Of all pacemen, only Allan Davidson of Australia has taken 100 wickets for a lower average than Marshall who took 376 at 20.9 each. In Marshall's first decade in the side (1977-1987) West Indies lost three Tests and were world champions".

Berry is a former Editor of Wisden Cricket Almanack and is among the most respected writers in the modern game. He visited Marshall's grave at the St Bartholomew Church in the southern parish of Christ Church to recount several memories.

Marshall died in Barbados on November 4, 1999 at the age of 41 after a battle with colon cancer.

"England had the first practice of their West Indian tour at the 3Ws Oval on the university campus at Cave Hill, where they will have four days of match practice ahead of the first Test starting a week on Wednesday," Berry added.

read more at Jamaica Observer

Very nice accolades. Gone way too soon, but a heck of a player.

Thought that was Bumraw...

Maco was the most complete fast bowler man. Could bowl at the speed of light, could cut the ball at pace, could swing the ball around corners. The performance that to me summarizes marshall's genius was the one at lord's in 88 when England had killed the life in the pitch to counteract Maco and he dropped pace(but was still brisk) and swung the ball miles man.....unparalleled genius

In reply to Jumpstart

Marshall was awesome in his prime and was successful in all conditions... An outstanding champion when the west indies were full of champions. Marshall had a keen cricket brain and outsmarted most batsmen. He was meticulous in his field placings... His early death was a huge loss for the cricketing fraternity, especially in the west indies.

Is it not Ishant? Or Mohit?

In reply to Jumpstart

I remember at Sydney in January 1989,Australia made more than 400 runs and Marshall took 5 for 29 in 31 overs.The wicket was worse than Bourda and Roger Harper and Viv Richards did most of the bowling.