West Indies' opener Xavier Marshall. - AP

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Outstanding former West Indies batsman Richie Richardson says he is impressed with Xavier Marshall's ability to dominate opposing bowling attacks.

The 22-year-old Jamaican was a surprise selection to the West Indies squad for the second Digicel Test against Australia in Antigua recently, but has scored two sparkling half-centuries in four innings since.

"I saw a little bit of him. He seems to have some good potential. He's capable of hitting the ball and that's important, especially as an opening batsman to be able to dominate," said Richardson, also a former West Indies captain.

"Especially after the first three, four, five overs, you should take control because you should be seeing the ball big, having done the hard work."

Top-scored

The right-handed Marshall hammered a stroke-filled 53 in the first innings in Antigua and then top-scored with another glittering 85 on Sunday on the fourth day of the third and final Test at Kensington Oval.

Marshall, who has never scored a first class century, finished the series with 182 runs at an average of 45.5.

"He seems to be one of those players that if he's there [at the crease], he's going to score runs and demoralise the bowling attack and that's what you need. Quite often you find batsmen, they are there, they are 30 and they are still searching," said Richardson, who scored 5,949 runs from 86 Tests between 1983 and 1995.

"No, once you are 20, you are in control. Not necessarily hitting the ball out of the park but the opposition, the bowlers should realise you are here to stay and we need to see a bit more of that from our top line batsmen."