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Vic Marks, the off spinning all-rounder from Somerset farming country,
made his mark as an inexpensive bowler in the 1983 World Cup, and might
not have played Test cricket at all had John Emburey not been banned for
a visit to South Africa during the apartheid years. Marks made his
strongest contribution to the Test scene as one of the few English
batsmen who could combat the leg spin of Abdul Qadir during England's
1983-4 tour to Pakistan. At Faisalabad he made 83 and in Lahore
top-scored with 74 out of 241 before making 55 in the second innings.
His batting also helped win the 1982 Test against Pakistan at
Headingley, his debut.
His 12 not out in company with Bob Taylor saw
England home to a three wicket win. As a bowler he only had to
contribute seven overs which brought him one wicket. That got him on Bob
Willis' tour of Australia in 1982-83, though he did not play in a Test.
Against New Zealand in 1983 he took 3-78 in his most successful spell.
He went to New Zealand before the trip to Pakistan, taking 3-115 in
Auckland. His best performances were his bowling in ODIs, where he would
bowl through his overs early and inexpensively, to greatest effect on
his home ground at Taunton during the World Cup, when he took 5-39 v Sri
Lanka.
In the World Series in Australia he was part of the first
England team to compete in coloured clothing. He toured India with David
Gower in 1984-85 without playing a Test, but batted well in the ODIs,
scoring 31 in Puna and 44 in Cuttack, where he also took 3-50. (Bob Harragan)
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