Ex-Australian off-spinner Ashley Mallett passes away at age 76

Ashley Mallett

One of Australia's finest off-spinners, Ashley Mallett, passed away in Adelaide on Friday at the age of 76. He was reportedly suffering from cancer.

The South Australian tweaker's 28 Test wickets on the 1969-70 tour of India were instrumental in the Bill Lawry-led team's 3-1 series victory. Mallett captured 132 Test wickets in 38 Tests between 1968 and 1980.

He became a professional journalist in his playing days during which he wrote books titled Rowdy (his nickname) and Spin Out. He later authored several books that included biographies of teammates Ian Chappell, Doug Walters and Jeff Thomson.

Mallett's incisive columns also appeared in this newspaper. Just like his spin partner - the late Terry Jenner - he was a reputed spin coach. Mallett played a handy role in the career of Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis.

Before the epic India v Australia series in 2001, Mallett predicted that Harbhajan Singh would pose big problems for the Aussies and he did, as the Turbanator claimed 32 wickets in three Tests.

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