Former Australian cricketers Alan Davidson and Ashley Mallett have died

Alan Davidson and Ashley Mallet, two of Australia’s greatest Test players, have died.

Davidson, an all-rounder, died on Saturday at the age of 92.

Mallett, an off-spinner who subsequently became an author and journalist, died of cancer on Friday at the age of 76.

Cricket Australia described Davidson, a left-arm fast bowler and lower-order hitter, as “one of cricket’s finest performers and most important and beloved personalities.”

Davidson, who made his Test debut during the 1953 Ashes tour, went on to play 44 Tests, taking 186 wickets with best figures of 7-93, and was largely regarded as the best left-arm fast bowler in the world at the time.

He also hit five half-centuries and scored 1,328 runs at an average of 24.59.

After retiring, he served as president of Cricket New South Wales for 33 years and as a trustee of the Sydney Cricket Ground for 20 years.

Richard Freudenstein, the chairman of Cricket Australia, said: “Alan was a huge player in our game. Not simply as one of Australia’s greatest players, but also for the beneficial impact he had on the game as an administrator, mentor, and benefactor. “

Mallett, who played 38 Tests between 1968 and 1980 and took 132 wickets, is Australia’s most successful Test off-spinner, trailing only Nathan Lyon (399) and Hugh Trumble (141).

With 8-59 against Pakistan in 1972, he still maintains the greatest numbers for an off-spinner in Australia, although he is better recognised for his efforts in India during the 1969-70 tour, where he took 28 wickets.

Mallett founded the Spin Australia programme and the Spin Academy in Sri Lanka after retiring from cricket. He also penned a number of books, including a biography of another renowned Australian, Victor Trumper.

Ashley Mallett was a fantastic athlete, a recognised journalist, and a highly acclaimed novelist, Freudenstein continued.