Born in Nottingham on 21 August 1904, and educated at Nottingham High School, Eddie Marshall was a right-hand bat and right-arm fast bowler. His career in important cricket did not start until relatively late in life, in that he was not seen in Notts Second XI until 1934, when his two wickets cost 175. In 1935 he improved taking 15 wickets @28.73. In 1938 he headed the Notts Second XI batting averages with 297 runs @74.25, and he also took 21 wickets @16.04.
He had been appointed captain of the Notts Second XI in April 1937, when R J de C Barber declined the post due to pressure of business. His First-Class debut came in May 1937 versus Cambridge University at Fenner’s, coming in for Voce. Marshall did not bat and bowled only six overs, the match being ruined by rain. He played in the final two championship games of 1937 versus Middlesex and Gloucestershire, but achieved little.
In 1938, still captain of the Second XI, Marshall re-appeared for the county side versus Australia at Trent Bridge in July; he was brought into the team due to Woodhead’s injury. In the Australian first innings he took a sensational catch to dismiss Bill Brown and in the second innings had Bradman (144) caught off his bowling. This proved to be Marshall’s last First-Class match and in his five such matches he scored 19 runs @3.80 and took three wickets @55.66.
During the war, Marshall appeared regularly in the restricted programme of matches played by Notts and proved a mainstay of the batting, coming in at No. 5 or 6, he bowled very little. After the war he was re-appointed captain of the Seconds in the Minor County Championship in 1947. He continued as captain in 1948 and 1949.
Eddie Marshall was elected to the Notts CCC Committee in 1942 and was President in 1964/5. He was also chairman of the Supporters Club for about 15 years. His club cricket was chiefly with Notts Amateurs and Lenton United. He was a City Councillor and was awarded the MBE. He was employed in the family timber business in Nottingham. Edwin Alfred Marshall died suddenly at the Notts CCC AGM on 28 January 1970, aged 65.
April 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 360