Australian cricket remembers Alan Davidson and Ashley Mallett after Test greats pass away

Davidson, the allrounder who won 44 Test caps between 1953 and 1963, passed away in Sydney at the age of 92 on Saturday, less than 24 hours after the death of Mallett

Australian cricket is mourning the loss of two prolific former players.

Alan Davidson, the allrounder who won 44 Test caps between 1953 and 1963, passed away in Sydney at the age of 92 on Saturday, less than 24 hours after the death of Ashley Mallett.

Davidson took 186 Test wickets at an average of 20.53, and scored 1,328 runs at 24.59.

"He had a pretty fair idea of where you had problems and he hammered home at those problems," former Australia captain Ian Chappell said.

Davidson continued to work in cricket after his retirement, holding the presidency of the New South Wales Cricket Association for 33 years. He was also a national selector for Australia for five years.

Another former Aussie skipper, Mark Taylor, said: "He was just a lovely man, good fun to be around and just loved talking cricket.

ALAN DAVIDSON: TEST RECORD

Matches: 44

Runs: 1,328

Ave: 24.59

50s: 5

Wickets: 186

Ave: 20.53

5wi: 14

10wm: 2

"He'd run you through every delivery he bowled, and every four he hit in his career."

Mallett, an offspinner, died in Adelaide at the age of 76 on Friday.

He played 38 Tests between 1968 and 1980, taking 132 wickets. He reached 100 wickets in 23 Tests, the same time taken by the legendary Shane Warne to hit the landmark.

Like Davidson, Mallett remained in the game after his playing days were over, as a writer and journalist.

^{Alan Davidson during his playing career}

The penned the biography of fellow spinner Clarrie Grimmett as well as Neil Harvey’s biography The Last Invincible.

Cricket Australia chairman Richard Freudenstein said: “Ashley Mallett was a wonderful player, admired journalist and highly acclaimed author.

“He played a significant part in Australian cricket not only as a player but as a prolific storyteller who has preserved the memories of some of the game’s greatest and moments in time for people to enjoy through the ages.

“Ashley was a humble man whose deeds outweighed his reserved personality. He will be missed within the Australian cricketing landscape and we offer our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues across all industries and teammates.”

ASHLEY MALLETT: TEST RECORD

Matches: 38

Wickets: 132

Ave: 29.84

5wi: 6

10wm: 1

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