Ashley Mallett, one of Australia’s greatest spin bowlers, has died at the age of 76 in Adelaide after fighting cancer, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday.
Mallett took 132 Test wickets at an average of 29.84 in 38 matches between 1968 and 1980. He also played in nine one-day internationals.
Known for his teasing finger spin, Mallett extracted a lot of bounce from his high arm action, coupled with his height. The quiet and gangling bowler, who also earned praise for excellent gully fielding, was ironically nicknamed ‘Rowdy’ by his team mates. After his playing career, Mallett worked as a journalist, commentator, author and spin-bowling coach.
He co-authored Neil Harvey’s biography The Last Invincible, which was released in June this year. Mallett was a fan favourite in the golden era of Australian cricket under the captaincy of Ian Chappell. The finger spinner was the understated side-kick to the feared Australian bowling attack of the 1970s — famously remembered as the era of fast-bowling demons Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson.
(File photo) Ashley Mallett
