Maco was special

Malcolm Marshall Funeral

November 23, 1999

Augmented by a stunning eulogy by former Hampshire captain Mark Nicholas, Malcolm Marshall's incredible genius blazed before a crowd for the last time on Saturday November 13.

Alluding to the impact Marshall's life, and recent death have had on the international cricketing fraternity, and on those who knew him, Nicholas brought the Barbadian's enormous talent and intrinsic values sharply into focus.

Nicholas told a gathering of dignitaries, former and present Test players, and others, "Malcolm Marshall, exclusive of everyone I have known, was one of those very special people. Not so much because he was so extraordinarily good at cricket, but because of the way he applied the various gifts, cricket amongst them, which were given to him. Malcolm was not a waster; not of time, nor talent, not a shirker in any situation or challenge which confronted him. He maintained excellence without arrogance, earned respect without ever assuming it, and displayed confidence and self-assurance within his immense humility. He loved talking cricket; he knew it so well, and people listened to his strong opinion, his deep insight, and his remarkable ability to explore the game's present and future with uncanny foresight. Malcolm's life is not to be mourned, but to be celebrated as he has given life everything he had."

Others officiating at the service included:

The Very Rev Harold Crichlow, Dean of St. Michael's Cathedral, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Rufus Brome, Lord Bishop of Barbados, The Rev. Wesley Hall (of W.I. fame); Mr. Clive Lloyd, Sir Vivian Richards, Dr. Rudi Webster, Mr. Anthony Carter (The Mighty Gabby; Barbados Calypso Monarch).

The Pall Bearers were:

Into the Gymnasium:
Messrs. Vincent Nurse, Courtney Walsh, Errol Yearwood, Stephen Farmer, Michael Marshall, Cardigan Connor, Roland Holder & Clive Lloyd.

Leaving the Gymnasium:
Dr. Rudi Webster, Rev. Wes Hall, Messrs. Desmond Haynes, Brian Lara, Gordon Greenidge, Sir Conrad Hunte, Sir Vivian Richards & The Hon. Pat Rousseau.

To the Graveside:
Messrs. Joel Garner, Robert Earle, Bobby Goodman, Robin Smith, Peter Inniss, David Newman, David Trotman, Tim Tremlett, Nixon McClean & Philo Wallace.

Tributes came in from every corner of the cricketing world. Proceedings were just short of a State Funeral. The public was allowed to pay their last respects as his casket lay in rest in The St. Michael's Cathedral. The Acting Prime Minister, a former Prime Minister, Government Ministers, The British High Commissioner, and The Charge' d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, were all present.

© ICC