Australian cricket has once again rocked by the death of a legend after Peter Philpott OAM died on Sunday following complications from a fall.
The 86-year-old played eight Tests for the nation in the mid-1960s, as well as captaining New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield.
A talented spin bowler, Philpott made his Test debut against the West Indies in Kingston in 1965 taking six wickets 2-56 and 4-109.
Philpott is the third of the game’s giants to pass away in as many days after legendary off-spinner Ashley Mallett died following a battle with cancer on Friday and all-rounder Alan Davidson, 92, passed away on Saturday.
Former Australian test cricketer and coach Peter Philpott (pictured) has died at the age of 86
He took 18 in total on that tour before making an impressive mark in the first Ashes Test against England later that year where for took 5-90.
In his Sheffield Shield career from 1955 to 1968 he took 245 wickets with his consistent form earning his the NSW captaincy in 1963/64 and 1964/65.
Peter Philpott (pictured) in 1965 when he captained NSW in the Sheffield Shield
After retiring from the game he took up a successful career in coaching both in Australia and overseas.
He coached NSW and South Australia in the Sheffield Shield and headed up English teams before completing a stint with Sri Lanka.
He coached Australia on their 1981 tour of England.
Though an infighting Aussie side couldn’t compete with the in-form English, particularly all-rounder Ian Botham, and came away with a 3-1 defeat.
Tributes have already begun to flow for the much-loved figure.
‘I’d like to pass on my deepest condolences from everyone at Cricket NSW to Peter’s family and friends,’ Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said.
‘Any player that has reached the heights Peter did, in playing for his country and captaining his state, will long be remembered by the game.’
‘After his decorated playing career Peter was an outstanding coach and educator who was involved in cricket in Sydney’s north for more than six decades.’
The much-loved cricket legend (pictured) was an active figure in the sport long after his retirement from playing and coaching
Former England batter Mark Butcher remembered him as a ‘lovely and clearly very patient man’.
He advised Butcher and the England team on the art leg spin ahead of the 1998-99 Ashes Test.
In addition to his esteemed cricketing career he was also a teacher for five decades.
Sad day for Australian cricket as greats Davidson and Mallett die
By AFP
Australian cricket was in mourning Saturday after the deaths of former greats Alan Davidson and Ashley Mallett within 24 hours of each other.
Test spinner Mallett died aged 76 following a long battle with cancer, while legendary allrounder Alan Davidson passed away at 92.
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.
‘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 made his Test debut on the 1953 Ashes tour against England and went on to play 44 Tests, taking 186 wickets at 20.53 with best figures of 7-93, while scoring 1,328 runs.
Alan Davidson (right) with Steve Smith in 2016
After overcoming a series of injuries, he was at his peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s under the captaincy of close friend Richie Benaud.
During a golden period for the Australian team that included three Ashes series victories as well as successful tours of South Africa and India, Davidson was widely recognised as the game’s pre-eminent allrounder.
He later spent 33 years as president of Cricket NSW, 20 years as a Trustee of the Sydney Cricket Ground and five years as an Australian Test selector between 1979-84.
Mallett was remembered as a humble man who also played a significant role in Australian cricket.
Nicknamed ‘Rowdy’ in an ironic nod to his quietly spoken nature, he played 38 Tests from his debut against England in 1968, taking 132 wickets at an average of 29.84.
Former Australian spin-bowler Ashley Mallett, pictured here with Sri Lanka’s Malinga Bandara in 2006, coached many young spinners after his playing career ended
He still holds the best figures for a finger spinner in Australia with 8-59 against Pakistan at Adelaide in 1972, but his efforts in India were heralded as his greatest.
On the 1969-70 tour, he took 28 wickets, playing a key role in Australia securing a rare series win in India.
‘Ashley Mallett was a wonderful player, admired journalist and highly acclaimed author,’ said Freudenstein.
‘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.’
After his playing career ended, Mallett coached many young spinners, setting up the Spin Australia programme and the Spin Academy in Sri Lanka.
He also wrote numerous books, including biographies of batting great Victor Trumper and fellow spin wizard Clarrie Grimmett.