Former Australian spin great dead at 76

3 years ago 273

Ashley Mallett, 1 of Australia's top rotation bowlers, has died astatine the property of 76.

In 38 Test matches betwixt 1968 and 1980, Mallett took 132 wickets astatine 29.84, firstly nether the captaincy of Bill Lawry, past Ian and Greg Chappell.

He was picked for the 1968 Ashes circuit connected the backmost of a splendid debut play for South Australia successful 1967-68, erstwhile helium took 30 wickets astatine 23.80 successful conscionable six matches.

His Test debut came successful the 5th lucifer of that bid astatine The Oval, wherever helium took 5 wickets for the match, including the scalps of Colin Cowdrey (twice), Basil D'Oliveria and John Edrich.

It was connected the 1969-70 circuit of India that helium archetypal truly came to prominence, taking 28 wickets with his off-spin astatine 19.11, arsenic Lawry's broadside scored a 3-1 bid win, the past bid triumph for Australia successful India until 2004.

"'Rowdy' was superb successful that series," his erstwhile skipper Ian Chappell told Wide World of Sports.

"Erapalli Prasanna was the champion spinner I faced, and 'Rowdy' matched him implicit those 5 matches."

Mallett's 8-59 against Pakistan successful Adelaide successful 1972-73 remains the eighth champion bowling figures by an Australian successful a Test innings.

"He was a overmuch loved teammate, he'll beryllium sorely missed," Chappell said.

"A measurement of however bully helium was, helium reached 100 Test wickets successful 23 matches, which is the aforesaid fig of games arsenic Shane Warne."

Not lone an outstanding spinner, helium was a good gully fieldsman, and was ironically nicknamed "Rowdy" for his quiescent demeanour.

"For a gangly man, who was clumsy and could hardly see, helium was unbelievable successful the field," Chappell recalled with a laugh.

Chappell persuaded Kerry Packer to motion Mallett for World Series Cricket successful 1977, but arsenic helium recalled connected Ian Chappell, A Glorious Life, it wasn't straightforward.

"I asked him if I could adhd Ashley Mallett to the list, and helium didn't similar it," Chappell said.

"He said: 'I'm not paying that f---ing straight-breaker.'

"That's erstwhile we had to bash the deal. I asked him if Mallett could disregard him (Packer) successful an implicit would helium motion him? Kerry thought for a infinitesimal and answered yes.

"He had each these speakers and buttons connected the broadside of his desk, truthful helium deed 1 of the buttons, and this pistillate dependable comes back, 'Yes Mr. Packer?'

"And helium asked her to publication him successful to Barry Knight's Indoor Centre for a week.

"He went consecutive determination to get immoderate coaching!"

A prolific author, Mallett published a fig of books, astir precocious a biography of Neil Harvey successful July this year.

He died successful Adelaide aft a conflict with cancer.

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