Marlon Nathaniel Samuels is a Jamaican former cricketer who played internationally for the West Indies in all three formats, and a former ODI captain. He is a right-handed middle order batsman and an off-spinner. He was a key member of the West Indies team that won the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 and 2016 ICC World Twenty20, and was named man of the match in the final of both tournaments, becoming the first man to achieve the feat.

Personal life

During January 1981, Samuels was born in Kingston to parents Philip and Daphne. He has seven siblings; four brothers and three sisters. As well the younger brother of Robert Samuels, a former cricketer who played for the Windies. As well he attended Kingston College and soon became a member of the Melbourne Cricket Club.

Domestic career

During the West Indies tour of Australia, on 9 October 2005, Samuels registered his highest first-class score with an innings of 257. It was made in a tour match against Queensland at the Gabba. His effort was a record score at the ground, beating Martin Love's 250. Showing his allround abilities, he followed it up with 5 wickets in the next innings.

In October 2012, Samuels was selected for the Melbourne Renegades in the 2012/2013 Big Bash T20 League.

Samuels helped Peshawar Zalmi to win the 2017 Pakistan Super League, and Kowloon Cantons to win the 2017 Hong Kong T20 Blitz. Despite his then recent success, he was not selected until the 8th round of the 2017 Caribbean Premier League draft, when he was picked up by the St Lucia Stars.

International career

Debut years

Samuels first played for the Windies at two successive U19 Cricket World Cups. During the West Indies' 2000 tour of Australia, Samuels scored 60 not out and 46 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in his second test match.

He played in two Tests on the tour of Australia in 2005, with a highest score of 29, before he was sent home with a knee injury.

Ban in 2008

On 25 February 2008 Samuels was suspended from bowling in international cricket until he corrects his bowling action, which has been deemed suspect. Indian police accused Samuels of giving out team information to a known bookie prior to the 1st ODI between the West Indies and India in Nagpur on 21 January 2007. It was claimed that they have taped telephone conversations between a bookmaker, Mukesh Kochchar, and Samuels.

Return in 2010

Samuels' two-year ban expired on 9 May 2010, and he subsequently returned to playing for Jamaica. West-Indian chief selector Clyde Butts stated that the door was open for Samuels to serve the Windies in international cricket provided that he proved himself on the domestic circuit. During the 2011 World Cup in February and March, all-rounder Dwayne Bravo suffered an injury and the West Indies Cricket Board asked Samuels to fly out to act as a replacement. Samuels declined, stating that he did not yet feel ready, but that he was targeting a return during India's tour of the West Indies in June and July.

Illegal bowling & drop from squad

During the first test at Galle in 2015, Samuels was again reported about suspect bowling action. The action was found to be illegal for the second time and Samuels was banned from bowling in international arena for 12 months. His bowling action was cleared on 16 February 2017 by the ICC with the permitted 15-degree limit.

On 4 November 2016, Samuels was dropped from the ODI squad for 2016–17 Zimbabwe Tri-Series due to poor performances in tests against Pakistan in October.

Return in 2017

On 24 February 2017, Samuels discussed with WICB about the omission him from West Indies squad and suggested he could accept a Kolpak deal in county cricket. However, on 21 August 2017, WICB took the decision to include Samuels along with Gayle to return ODIs for the series against England.

Corruption charges

In September 2021, Samuels was charged with breaching the ICC anti-corruption code, for his time playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 in 2019. In August 2023, Samuels was found guilty of four anti-corruption charges under the Emirates Cricket Board Anti-Corruption Code. In November 2023, Samuels was banned from all forms of cricket for six years.

Controversy

• Samuels was involved in a controversy during the Melbourne derby on 6 January 2012 against the Shane Warne-led Melbourne Stars; during the Stars' innings, Samuels held back David Hussey at the non-striker's end when the batters were trying to take a second run off Samuels' bowling. Warne reacted angrily to this when he was later bowling to Samuels himself swearing and cursing; he continuously sledged Samuels, asking if he was going "grab hold of my shirt too, Marlon?" The incident escalated when Warne threw a cricket ball on Samuels, who responded by throwing his bat away.
• Samuels also has something of a feud with Ben Stokes; this began during the England cricket tour to the West Indies 2014-15. In the Second Test match, in which Samuels scored a century, he mocked Stokes' attempts to distract him with sledging as he batted, saying that it only concentrated his mind on the job in hand. When Stokes was then dismissed for 8 on Day 3 of the same match, Samuels saluted the departing batsman.
• Tensions again arose between Samuels and Stokes in 2020; Stokes, who had been forced to quarantine while visiting his family in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic, later joked that the experience of isolation had been so tough "he wouldn't wish it on his worst enemy" - when asked if he included Samuels in that statement, he responded "no, it's that bad". Samuels responded on his social media with an expletive-laden post referencing Stokes' wife, which drew a negative response from many in the cricketing world. Among those to respond was Shane Warne, who told Samuels that he "needs serious help". Samuels again took to social media to respond, mocking Warne for having plastic surgery.

Other ventures

In 2020, Samuels launched his first fragrance, named Sextillion. Since 2013, he has also supported blind charities in the Caribbean, especially in his native Jamaica, through the Marlon Samuels Foundation. He hopes that he will be able to adapt the focus of the foundation's work towards fighting breast cancer in the near future. As his career has wound down, Samuels has also begun to focus on the music industry; he has released songs to his YouTube channel under the stage-name Icon7.

Records

• First player to receive two Player of The Final awards in ICC World T20 history. He also became only the second player after Shahid Afridi in history to score a half century and to take at least a single wicket in a T20 World Cup final.
• With Kane Williamson he shares the record for the highest individual score in an ICC World T20 final (85). Samuels also holds the record for the highest score in a successful chase in an ICC World T20 final.
• Highest ever ODI partnership for any wicket, along with Gayle - 372 runs for second wicket and also it is the highest stand for any wicket in World Cup history.

Career Stats