ended in a draw, leaving Australia needing a win in the final Test to retain the Ashes. The selectors responded by sacking Lawry and several other players, including Mallett. Mallett returned to South Australia as his state proceeded to the Sheffield Shield title, although he only took one wicket in the last two matches. In his most successful season with the bat, Mallett scored 374 runs at 28.76. Returning to the Shield competition, Mallett performed consistently, with 54 and 62 wickets at an average of 19 in the 1971–72 and 1972–73 seasons allowing him a Test recall. In his earlier years, Mallett bowled with a high arm action, curving the ball away from the right-hander before breaking it inwards. He took 8/59 on his home ground in Adelaide against Pakistan in 1972–73 but missed the subsequent tour to the West Indies. Although Mallett was immediately playing Tests in the following season, reaching his 100 wicket milestone in his 23rd Test, he was subsequently used in a defensive capacity from the mid-1970s onwards. Keeping one end tight while Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee attacked the opposition with pace from the other, he only managed 32 wickets in his last 15 Tests. As the end of his career approached, he was plagued by arthritis, leading to a lower bowling action which curtailed his effectiveness. His last Test was at Lord's in 1980. Sheffield Shield Mallett had a productive Shield career, taking 391 wickets in 91 matches, second only to Clarrie Grimmett. In tandem with Jenner, he was part of a successful era in South Australian cricket, playing in three Sheffield Shield winning sides in 1968–69, 1970–71 and 1975–76. His best bowling was 13/122 against his native state in 1971–72. Mallett had little ability with the bat, with a Test best of 43* made on his debut against England, with a first class best of 92 against Western Australia. He had good reflexes and completed many difficult catches in the gully position, despite appearing to be short sighted. He captained the state team on two occasions in 1980–81, his final season. Nickname Quietly spoken and bookish, Mallett was ironically nicknamed "Rowdy" by his teammates. Post-playing career Mallett, a journalist by profession had worked as a commentator, a spin bowling coach, and as a writer. Mallett was employed by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board and travelled there three times a year as a consultant