'Great man': Aussie cricket rocked by tragic death of Test legend
The Australian cricket world has reacted with sadness after the death of spin bowling great Ashley Mallett, aged 76.
Mallett passed away on Friday in Adelaide after a long battle with cancer, having played 38 Tests for Australia after making his debut in 1968.
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Only Nathan Lyon (399 wickets) and Hugh Trumble (141) stand above Mallett as off-spinners, with a haul of 8/59 against Pakistan in 1972 perhaps his finest outing.
Nicknamed 'Rowdy' due to his quietly-spoken nature, Mallett rocketed to fame during his second overseas tour for Australia as Bill Lawry's team secured a 3-1 series victory over India.
A 10-wicket haul in the fifth and final Test helped him to a total of 28 for the series, at an average just under 20.
There was an outpouring of grief on social media for Mallett, who went on to have a widely respected career in journalism after retiring from first class cricket in 1980.
Farewell Ashley Mallett, brilliant writer apart from a great offie for Australia. Wrote for @mid_day, a dear friend.
— Clayton J Murzello (@ClaytonMurzello) October 29, 2021
Vale Ashley Mallett.
One of my childhood cricket heroes.
Wily off-spinner. Unbelievable gully fieldsman.
Great writer.
Clearly took a mean photo. pic.twitter.com/EzwNYyd4hL— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) October 29, 2021
RIP Ashley Mallett, top Australian spin bowler, writer and former colleague in his journalism career. Had the splendid, ironic nickname of Rowdy. And here he is cutting quite a dash in the 70s https://t.co/aJfgHrxuMI
— Tony Tassell (@TonyTassell) October 29, 2021
Drift through the wonders of life, drop on the lives of many and put a spin on a great story. All the ingredients of a great man through the thread of his craft as an offie. Thanks for the memories and friendship Ashley Mallett #cricket #talesoflife
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) October 29, 2021
Another name from my childhood passes away. Goodbye #AshleyMallett, genuine cricket lover and fine off-spinner.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 29, 2021
As a tacker so much of my voracious cricket appetite was serviced by stories written in books by and about Rowdy Mallett. A personality whose contribution hugely outweighs his figures. https://t.co/9oZUi06ixb
— Rudi Edsall (@RudiEdsall) October 29, 2021
Ashley Mallett fondly remembered in cricket world
Mallett started his career in WA, but with spinners Tony Lock and Tony Mann ahead of him in the pecking order, he made the switch to South Australia.
The move proved to be a masterstroke, with Mallett flourishing in a first-class career that would eventually span 183 matches.
Mallett scored a legion of fans after his playing career finished through his writing.
He was active in that sense up until recently, co-authoring Neil Harvey's biography The Last Invincible, which was released in June.
With AAP
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