Sad day for Australian cricket as greats Alan Davidson, Ashley Mallett die

Gulf Today Report

Australian cricket was in mourning Saturday after the two former cricket greats have died within a day of each other.

Cricket Australia announced the deaths of former greats Alan Davidson and Ashley Mallett within 24 hours of each other.

Saturday that Davidson, an allrounder known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, died peacefully at age 92 on Saturday morning. Offspinner Mallett died on Friday at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer.

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Davidson, a destructive left-arm fast bowler and hard-hitting lower-middle order batter, was hailed as "one of cricket's finest players and most influential and beloved figures".

"Alan was a colossal figure in our game," said Cricket Australia chairman Richard Freudenstein.

Former Australian cricketing great Alan Davidson attends a ceremony in Sydney. AFP

"Not only as one of the finest players to have represented Australia and New South Wales, but for the positive influence he exerted across the game as an administrator, mentor and benefactor."

Davidson, who played 44 test matches from 1953-63, was widely regarded as the world’s best left-arm fast bowler until the emergence of Pakistan star Wasim Akram. Davidson took 186 test wickets at an average of 20.53, and scored 1,328 test runs at 24.59.

Nicknamed "Claw" by fellow allrounder Keith Miller after an impressive slips catch, Davidson routinely impressed teammates and fans with his batting, bowling and fielding.

Former Australian spin-bowler Ashley Mallett attend a training session. File/AFP

The tied test at the Gabba in 1960 between Australia and West Indies, which Davidson played with a broken finger, was the highlight of his career.

Davidson finished with match figures of 11-222 and a combined tally of 124 runs, with a final-innings run total of 80 setting the stage for a dramatic finish as the hosts rallied from 5-57 to finish all out for 232.

It marked the first time a player completed the double of 10 wickets and 100 runs in a test.