Last hurrah for legend Marshall
By Colin Thompson
Charlie Marshall, the most prolific run getter in the 107-year history of Cup Match, has decided to throw in the towel after this year's classic at Wellington Oval.
The 48-year-old left -handed batsman told The Royal Gazette: "I can't go on forever, and I think it's time to call it a day."
It is the second time the Social Club player/coach has announced his retirement, having previously decided to quit a few years ago before making a u-turn and returning to the annual mid-summer spectacle.
Since scoring a memorable century (100) on his debut at Wellington Oval in 1980, Marshall has gone on to establish other Cup Match milestones.
The former Bermuda skipper was the first colt to notch a century on his debut and one of only six batsmen to score two centuries in the classic. Marshall is currently tied with former St. George's skipper Cal (Bummy) Symonds for the most catches in Cup Match (24), shares batting partnership records, has amassed the most runs in the classic (1,338), at 48 is the event's most senior player and has appeared in the most matches (25).
Marshall has also captained St. George's in Cup Match and been a mainstay in the champions' middle order for many years. He stroked a Cup Match best 134 – his first ton in 23 years in a drawn affair at Wellington Oval in 2003 and two years later surpassed former St. George's team-mate, Wendell Smith, as the classic's leading run-getter.
In his heyday, the former Bailey's Bay stalwart was arguably the greatest cover point fielder the Island has produced.
During a 1983 visit to Bermuda, world renowned cricket commentator Tony Cozier said of Marshall's fielding: "Charlie Marshall gave an exhibition of fielding of which anyone would have been proud.
"Cover point is a specialist position, and people like Clive Lloyd and Derek Randall have made that position a real specialised position, and Marshall was dazzling.
"He has speed and safe hands. Whether the ball was in the air or on the ground, he was there."
Marshall held two brilliant catches in the covers off stalwarts Colin Blades and Gladstone (Sad) Brown to help guide St. George's to a famous three-wicket win at Somerset Cricket Club under skipper Clevie Wade during the 1983 Cup Match.
His maiden Cup Match century 29 years ago was nothing short of spectacular as he lifted Somerset all-rounder Robert Hinds out of the ground for a six to reach the milestone off the last ball of the match to spark joyous scenes among fellow St. Georgians in the East End.
"Charlie's many Cup Match achievements are well documented and even at age 48 he is an automatic choice for the St. George's' team, which is an achievement in itself," commented former St. George's reserve player Jeff Richardson who went on to play for Somerset in the classic.
"Charlie's Cup Match career has been admirable and what I admire most about him is that he has earned his keep over the years. He's a very good friend of mine and I wish him well."
Since committing himself to Social Club's cricket programme in recent seasons, the veteran cricketer has helped the Pembroke club land back-to-back Central Counties and Premier league titles.
Social Club have also appeared in two Belco Cup finals, losing on each occasion to Southampton Rangers, under Marshall's watch.
