When retired hurt players made a daring comeback to the cricket field

#1 Malcolm Marshall with a broken thumb against England

Malcolm Marshall bats with a broken thumb vs England at Leeds, 1984

In the cricketing world, if anyone has truly rationalized the urban quote, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” then it has to be the West Indies fast bowler Malcolm Marshall. His heroics in the 1984 tour of England is still a talked-about-affair in the circle of cricketing legends.

Marshall fractured his left thumb while fielding for his side in the third Test against England at Leeds. When he set off the field, England side must have been relieved to see his back. But to their nightmares, Marshall came back to bat for his side with a plastered wrist.

The sight of Marshall using only his right hand to hold the bat amazed everyone. He clobbered Paul Allott for a drive and later, punched him for a boundary. His heroics with the bat only lasted for 8 balls, but in that small window of time, he and his batting partner Larry Gomes managed to register a small lead.

Marshall's heroics didn’t end there. He came to bowl in the second innings and returned with figures of 7/53 to help West Indies script a memorable win by 8 wickets.