Lillee and Thompson were an incredible pair of opening bowlers and they tore us and the Windies apart in the mid-1970’s. Both had their struggles with injuries, particularly Thompson who was never the same bowler after an on-field accident ruined his shoulder. If they’d have played more tests together then I’d pick them as the best of all time.
BUT the West Indian production line of fast bowlers was a level above. Holding, Roberts, Daniel, Garner, Bishop, Marshall, Croft right up to Walsh and Ambrose they were a ferocious bunch. As a batsman you’d think you’d seen off Andy Roberts and Michael Holding only for them to be replaced by Colin Croft and the sublime Malcolm Marshall.
Lillee was a master practitioner of his art but Malcolm Marshall was in my view even better. His low slung action and ferocious pace meant that he could make the ball look like it was on a string. He could bat a bit too and has the lowest average for any test bowler who has taken more than 200 wickets.
RIP Macco
