Devon Malcolm, Jamaican-English cricketer
Devon Eugene Malcolm (born 22 February 1963) is a former English cricketer. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Malcolm played in 40 Test matches for his adopted country, and took part in 30 One Day Internationals.
At his best, he was the unquestionably the fastest bowler in world cricket at the time and could devastate the opposition's batting, but his playing style was also notable for his perceived wayward profligacy with the ball, his powerful throwing arm but poor catching as a fielder, and his general lack of ability with the bat, with his batting and fielding being described as of "court-jester standard".
His under-average ability as a batsman seemed however to add to his public popularity, and he was often given a big cheer when he went out to bat, more often than not at number eleven, a position for which he was often in close competition with the equally batting-averse Phil Tufnell. With a fondness for mighty swings across the line of the ball, he hit some huge sixes for both England and Derbyshire, and became a particular favourite of commentator Brian Johnston.
As the cricket writer, Colin Bateman, noted, "Malcolm, incredibly wholehearted as a bowler and with an easy charm, was a natural underdog with the bat and awkward in the field, and so became a national hero".