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".
1963Feb, 22
Devon Malcolm
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Events on 1963
- 8Jan
Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is exhibited in the United States for the first time, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. - 8Feb
John F. Kennedy
Travel, financial and commercial transactions by United States citizens to Cuba are made illegal by the John F. Kennedy administration. - 21Apr
Bahá'í Faith
The first election of the Universal House of Justice is held, marking its establishment as the supreme governing institution of the Bahá'í Faith. - 7Oct
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
John F. Kennedy signs the ratification of the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. - 22Nov
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
U.S. President John F. Kennedy is assassinated and Texas Governor John Connally is seriously wounded by Lee Harvey Oswald