Aussie Test cricket cult hero Ashley Mallett dead

One of the most popular figures from a golden era of Australian cricket has died on Friday at the age of 76 following a long battle.

Aussie Test cricket cult figure Ashley Mallett has died on Friday at the age of 76.

The South Australian spinner passed away in Adelaide after a long-term battle with cancer.

Mallett, who played 38 Tests and took 132 wickets for Australia from 1968-80, was a popular figure on and off the cricket field and earned another legion off fans in his life after cricket as an accomplished author.

The former Test cricketer continued to be active in his writings this year despite being in the latter stages of his illness.

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.

Ashley Mallett (left), Ian Chappell, Terry Jenner and Shane Warne.

Ashley Mallett. Pic. Sarah Reed.

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.

His rare athleticism and skill while fielding in the gully created a legacy and a new standard for future generations of Australian cricketers in the field.

He featured in significant Test series victories overseas against India and was part of the victorious Ashes team from the 1974-75 series.

His list of records — which includes his famous figures of 8/59 against Pakistan at Adelaide Oval in 1972 — backs up his reputation of being one of the best finger spinners Australia has ever seen.

Ashley Mallett (🇦🇺 1968-80)

Tests: 38
Wickets: 132 @ 29.84
Best (Innings): 8-59 v Pakistan at Adelaide Oval in 1972
Best (Match): 10-144 v India at Chennai in 1969

ODIs: 9
Wickets: 11 @ 31.00
Best Bowling: 3-34 v England at MCG in 1971

First Class: 183
Wickets: 693 @ 26.27

— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) October 29, 2021

Chappell on Friday night was among the first members of the Australian cricket fraternity to pay tribute to his former teammate.

“He was a much loved teammate, he’ll be sorely missed,” Chappell told nine.com.au.

“A measure of how good he was, he reached 100 Test wickets in 23 matches, which is the same number of games as Shane Warne.”

Mallett remains a popular figure in Australian cricket through his ponderings as an author, where he has had two books published on his reflections on the sport and his career as a cricketer.

He was also the co-author of Aussie cricket legend Victor Trumper’s biography.

The 1975 Australian team (back, left to right): Doug Walters, Jeff Thomson, Dennis Lillee, Max Walker, Ashley Mallett, Rick McCosker, Alan Turner; (front): Rodney Marsh, Ian Redpath, Ian Chappell, Ross Edwards, Greg Chappell. Photo by Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto/Getty Images.

Mallett is also remembered for his affectionate nickname “Rowdy” — bestowed on him for his choirboy temperament and baby-faced assassin sportsmanship while playing in one of the toughest Australian cricket teams ever assembled.

Tributes flooding in for giant of Australian cricket

Cricket commentators have been taking to social media to post their tributes to Mallett, who also played nine one-day internationals for Australia.

Aussie cricket legend Jason Gillespie was among many to offer condolences to Mallett’s friends and family over the “awful” news.

Cricket reporter Andrew Faulkner posted on Twitter: “Vale Rowdy. Thanks for your generosity and kindness. And for your Nugget book. And for your unfailing belief in attacking spin. I’m sad.”

Veteran cricket writer Greg Baum posted on Twitter: “This is sad. A unique character in Australian cricket. RIP.”

Network 10 sports host Stephen Quartermain wrote: “One of my childhood cricket heroes. Wily off-spinner. Unbelievable gully fieldsman. Great writer.”

Former sports writer Richard Hinds added: “Terribly sad news. The first Test I attended was at the SCG during the 1974-75 Ashes series. Turned up for the tyranny of Lillee and Thommo and was treated to the mastery of Mallett. More than just a player, a cricketer to his core. #Vale.”