Former Australia spinner Ashley Mallett has died at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer. The South Australian spinner died in Adelaide late on Friday night.
Mallett, who played 38 Tests and nine ODIs in a career spanning 12 years, made his debut against England in 1968 and ended his Test career in 1980 against the same opponent. He took 132 wickets in a Test career of 12 at an average of 29.84. years.
Considered one of the greats of Australian cricket, Mallett held the best figures for a finger spinner in Australia with 8-59 against Pakistan in Adelaide in 1972.
Always polite and soft-spoken, Mallett ranks as Australia’s most successful Test off-spinners behind only Nathan Lyon (399 wickets) and Hugh Trumbull (141).
Mallett’s 8-59 against Pakistan in 1972 was the eighth-best bowling performance by an Australian in a Test innings.
Born in Sydney but raised in Perth, Mallet was tutored by the late legendary spin bowler Clary Grimmett. Mallett, who is also an acclaimed author and journalist, later wrote Grimmett’s autobiography.
Though his exploits in domestic cricket and internationally made a name for him, his efforts in India were declared as his greatest. On the 1969–70 tour, Mallett took 28 wickets as a key to Australia’s last Test series win in India, which formed a major part of his 100-wicket haul in 23 Test matches.
Mallett also coached a number of young spin bowlers and established the Spin Australia program and the Spin Academy in Sri Lanka. He was an advisor to Sri Lankan cricket for a long time.
Mallett wrote several books including autobiographies of Victor Trumper and Grimmett, Dreaming Long with Lords, which chronicled the English tour of the Australian indigenous side, the first Australian sports team to tour overseas in 1868.
Cricket Australia paid a heartfelt tribute to the legendary spinner.
“Ashley Mallett was a wonderful sportsperson, acclaimed journalist and highly acclaimed author. He played a vital role in Australian cricket not only as a player but also as a prolific storyteller, who brought back memories of some of the game’s greatest and of the times. Preserved for people to enjoy through the ages,” said Cricket Australia President Richard Freudenstein. .
“Ashley was a humble man whose deeds outweighed his reserved personality. He will be missed in the Australian cricket scene and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues from all industries and teammates.”
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