About Ashley Mallett
Ashley Alexander Mallett (13 July 1945 – 29 October 2021) was an Australian cricketer who played in 38 Tests and 9 One Day Internationals between 1968 and 1980. Until Nathan Lyon, he was Australia's most successful off spin bowler since World War II. He extracted a lot of bounce from his high arm action, coupled with his height. He was a part of the Australian squad which finished as runners-up at the 1975 Cricket World Cup. == Early life == Mallett was born in Chatswood, New South Wales, and moved to Perth, Western Australia, as a child. He attended Mount Lawley High School. == Early career == Mallett was a member of the Western Australian squad in the 1966–67 season, but made no appearances, only being 12th man in two Sheffield Shield matches. On the bouncy pace friendly WACA Ground, where the Western Australians played their home matches, only one spinner was required, and left arm orthodox spinner Tony Lock, the former English Test player blocked Mallett's path. Along with young leg spinner Terry Jenner, Mallett transferred to South Australia in the winter of 1967, and immediately became a regular members of the state team, which often fielded two spinners on the Adelaide Oval's turning surface. They were to form an effective and attacking tandem spin combination for a decade. During the 1967–68 season, Mallett made his first-class debut for South Australia in November against the touring New Zealand.
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