Date-stamped : 03 Nov93 - 05:54 Malcolm Marshall Benefit, WI XI v Hants, 21 Sep 93 A crowd of some 1200 Hampshire stalwarts gathered at the County Ground in Southampton on Tuesday 21 September to pay tribute to Malcolm Marshall, making his final appearance in the environs of Hampshire C.C.C. After 14 years, Marshall, one of the longest-serving members of the Hampshire side, and one of the finest cricketers ever to play for the county, ended his long association with the club by leading a West Indian XI in a 40-overs-per- side match against his former team-mates. A glittering array of talent was on display; of the 24 players used by both sides, 11 were either current or former Test players. The Hampshire side included former England batsmen Paul Terry and David Gower, while the West Indians fielded Desmond Haynes, Phil Simmons, Carl Hooper, Courtney Walsh, Joel Garner, Alvin Kallicharran, Roger Harper, Marshall himself and last but not least, that well-known West Indian wicket-keeper R. C. (Jack) Russell. :-) And some chap by the name of Clive Lloyd turned up to watch. The West Indian XI won the toss and elected to bat in the chilly September sunshine. Haynes took guard left-handed; guiding the first delivery he received from Shine down to fine leg, he was smartly run out by a direct hit from 35 yards by Thursfield, at which point umpire Alan Bundy called "No ball". :-) Reversing his guard, he and Simmons then proceeded to put on 50-odd for the first wicket, at which point Haynes was smartly caught behind by Aymes off the second ball of James' first over. (Aside: a few minutes previously: Kevan James fielding on the fence at fine leg, just in front of where I was sitting. Me: "Hello, Kev, how're you doing?" James: " Hello Dave, what's this, skiving off work again?" Me: "Something like that... looking forward to bowling today?" James: "Against these guys? Are you joking? And I'm coming on in a minute... Want to swap suits?" Then he picks up Haynes in his first over. At the end of it: Me: "Changed your mind now?" James: "Yeah... for the moment, anyway...") :-) With Simmons out a few overs later, Hooper joined Kallicharran at the crease and a partnership of some proportions ensued. Their stroke-play was a joy to watch as they casually despatched a succession of bowlers to all corners of the ground. When Kallicharran was finally out to a superb catch at mid- on by Nicholas, they had added over 100 at almost a run per ball. Roger Harper then briefly joined Hooper before falling to another good catch behind the stumps by Aymes, which brought Marshall in at number 6. He walked slowly to the wicket to the accompaniment of thunderous applause, surveying the ground he had graced for so long for the last time as a player. His innings began quietly; Hooper took most of the early strike in this partnership before, to a huge roar of approval from the assembled spectators, Marshall lofted a mighty six into the flats outside the ground at mid-wicket to take his score into double figures. Two or three overs later, he was drawn down the track and comprehensively beaten by a beguiling delivery from Udal. He didn't bother to look back; turning to the pavilion, he began to walk in. Aymes lingered over the stumping until Marshall had walked some dozen paces and only reluctantly removed the bails when it was clear that he wasn't returning, perhaps feeling that he had done enough with the bat for the day and wanting to give someone else a chance. The crowd, as one man, rose to its feet and cheered Marshall every step of the way. As he approached the pavilion gate, he paused, turned, and, as the ovation redoubled in strength, waved his bat aloft in salute one last time. Then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd of youngsters clamouring for his autograph at the entrance to the dressing-room. Some spirited batting by Mark Harper helped to push the score along after Hooper was finally out for 72, a fine, chanceless innings, although one or two of his shots obviously did not go exactly where they were intended. The West Indian innings closed at 248 for 6, whereupon your humble scribe repaired to the County Club for refreshment. :-) At the resumption of play some 20 minutes later, Middleton and Aymes opened the batting for Hampshire, facing Walsh from the City End and Marshall from Northlands Road. The dismissal of Middleton brought Terry to the crease, followed a couple of overs later by Gower when Aymes was sharply caught at slip by Kallicharran. The big partnership of the Hampshire innings followed, both batsmen striking the ball hard and cleanly. When Terry was finally out to an excellent catch in the deep at mid-on by Walsh, the two former Test players had added more than 110 runs to the Hampshire total between them, at more than a run a ball. Needing 49 runs to win from the last three overs, Hampshire's last hopes died when Marshall returned to bowl the last over; bowling off-spinners, he claimed the wickets of Gower and James. As he took his mark to bowl the final ball, the public address system came to life as the announcer exhorted, "Come on, Malcolm, one last bouncer!" Stopping in the middle of his first stride, he turned, legs planted apart, to the commentary box, stared, dropped his eyes to the ground, shook his head in mock disapproval, then, with a wide grin, bowled a donkey-drop which Tim Tremlett eagerly despatched to the pavilion fence for four runs, leaving Hampshire still 17 runs short of their target. Not that the result was important. Malcolm Marshall devoted fourteen marvellous years of his career to Hampshire County Cricket Club, during which time he was greatly admired by his fellow players and the supporters for his professionalism, his competitiveness and his incredible skill, not to mention his irrepressible sense of humour. He will not be returning to us next year. We will miss him. Ah, but what memories... Thanks to David Wheeler on r.s.c. Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)