Arthur Mailey, Australian cricketer (d. 1967)

Alfred Arthur Mailey (3 January 1886 – 31 December 1967) was a distinguished Australian cricketer, primarily renowned for his innovative leg-break and googly bowling. His career spanned from 1920 to 1926, during which he represented Australia in 21 Test matches, making a significant impact with his unique style and memorable performances.

Arthur Mailey: A Pioneer of Spin Bowling

Arthur Mailey carved out a formidable reputation as a leg-break and googly bowler, a highly complex and deceptive style of spin bowling. Leg-breaks turn away from a right-handed batsman, while googlies, bowled with a seemingly identical action, unexpectedly turn into the batsman, often catching them off guard and leading to dismissals. This mastery of deception allowed Mailey to claim an impressive 99 Test wickets in his relatively short career. His ability to consistently outwit top batsmen made him a prominent figure in Australian cricket history.

Record-Breaking Bowling Performances

Mailey's career was punctuated by several remarkable bowling achievements that underscore his skill and impact on the game. His ability to take wickets, even at the cost of conceding runs, was a hallmark of his aggressive approach.

• Dominant Ashes Series (1920-21): In the iconic 1920-21 Ashes series against England, Mailey was a central figure, claiming a staggering 36 wickets. This extraordinary performance highlights his crucial role in Australia's success during one of cricket's most anticipated rivalries.
• Australian Test Record: During the second innings of the Fourth Test at Melbourne in the same 1920-21 Ashes series, Mailey delivered a spellbinding performance, taking nine wickets for 121 runs. This remarkable feat remains the Test record for an Australian bowler, a testament to his unique ability to dismantle batting lineups.
• Perfect Ten-Wicket Haul: Beyond Test cricket, Mailey achieved another incredibly rare and coveted milestone in first-class cricket. Playing for the touring Australian side against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham in 1921, he took all ten wickets in the second innings for just 66 runs. This "perfect ten" is an exceptionally rare occurrence in cricket, demonstrating his complete dominance over the opposition batsmen. This historic achievement later became the inspiration for the title of his 1958 autobiography, "10 for 66 and All That," a humorous nod to the celebrated English history book, "1066 and All That."

The Most Expensive Bowling Analysis in First-Class Cricket

While celebrated for his wicket-taking prowess, Mailey also holds a contrasting record: the most expensive bowling analysis in first-class cricket history. In a match for New South Wales against Victoria at Melbourne during the 1926-27 season, Victoria amassed a then-record first-class total of 1107 runs. In this epic innings, Mailey bowled 64 eight-ball overs, remarkably without managing a single maiden over (an over in which no runs are scored), and finished with figures of 4 wickets for a massive 362 runs. True to his character, Mailey famously recounted that his figures would have been "much better" had three easy catches ("sitters") not been dropped off his bowling. He humorously attributed two of these dropped catches to "a man in the pavilion wearing a bowler hat" and consoled an unfortunate teammate who dropped the third with the memorable line, "I'm expecting to take a wicket any day now." This anecdote perfectly encapsulates his self-deprecating humour and philosophical approach to the game.

Life Beyond the Cricket Pitch

Arthur Mailey's life was far richer and more diverse than his cricketing career alone. His journey began with humble origins, highlighting his remarkable trajectory to national prominence.

• Early Life and Varied Professions: Starting work at the tender age of 13, Mailey held various occupations, including a trouser presser, a glass blower, and a labourer for the Water Board. These diverse early experiences underscore his working-class roots and resilience.
• Talented Writer and Artist: Demonstrating a profound creative flair, Mailey evolved into a talented writer and artist. Between 1920 and 1953, he published numerous booklets featuring his distinctive cartoons of contemporary cricketers, offering unique insights into the personalities and events of his era.

Legendary cricketer Sir Don Bradman, a contemporary and admirer, famously remarked on Mailey's unique bowling style and character: "Someone dubbed him the man who bowled like a millionaire, and how true it was! Arthur's objective was to take wickets, and the spending of runs in the process bothered him little. For a relatively small man Arthur had abnormally large hands, soft as silk to the touch, and he once told me he didn't know what it was to have tired or sore fingers." This tribute from Bradman succinctly captures Mailey's attacking, risk-taking philosophy as a bowler and hints at the physical attributes that contributed to his exceptional spin.

Arthur Mailey's Personal Life and Enduring Legacy

Arthur Mailey also led a full personal life, establishing a family and contributing to his local community.

• Family Life: In 1912, he married Miss Maud Hinchcllffe, and together they had three sons and a daughter.
• Community Involvement and "Googly Manor Lane": Mailey was also a local businessman, running a mixed enterprise that included a butcher shop on Woolooware Road in Burraneer, New South Wales. His local impact is immortalized in a fascinating detail: the back lane behind Woolooware Road, officially named Dominic Lane in 2011, was unofficially known for many years as "Googly Manor Lane" – a delightful nod to Mailey's signature bowling delivery and his residence in the vicinity. This informal naming tradition speaks volumes about his beloved status within the community. While property records from a 1954 subdivision refer to the owner as "Arthur Albert Mailey," it is highly probable that this refers to the famous cricketer, cementing his connection to the area's local history.

Arthur Mailey passed away in Kirrawee, New South Wales, on 31 December 1967, just three days before his 82nd birthday. His legacy endures not only through his exceptional cricketing records but also through his distinctive personality, artistic contributions, and the indelible mark he left on the game and his community.

Frequently Asked Questions about Arthur Mailey

Who was Alfred Arthur Mailey?

Alfred Arthur Mailey was an Australian cricketer (1886-1967) primarily known as a leg-break and googly bowler who played 21 Test matches for Australia between 1920 and 1926.

What was Arthur Mailey's primary bowling style?

Arthur Mailey was a leg-break and googly bowler, mastering both deliveries to deceive batsmen with his spin variations.

What is Arthur Mailey's most significant Test record?

Arthur Mailey holds the Test record for an Australian bowler, having taken nine wickets for 121 runs in an innings against England in the 1920-21 Ashes series at Melbourne.

Did Arthur Mailey achieve a "perfect ten" in first-class cricket?

Yes, in 1921, Arthur Mailey took all ten Gloucestershire wickets for 66 runs in a first-class match during the Australian tour of England, a rare and perfect bowling performance.

What other unique cricket record does Arthur Mailey hold?

Arthur Mailey holds the record for the most expensive bowling analysis in first-class cricket, having conceded 362 runs for 4 wickets in a single innings for New South Wales in 1926-27.

What was Arthur Mailey's life like outside of cricket?

Beyond cricket, Arthur Mailey was a talented writer and artist, known for publishing booklets of cricket cartoons. He also ran a mixed business, including a butcher shop, and was known for his humor and philosophical outlook.