Nugget: Man of the Century

by Ashley Mallett

In February 2007, ABC-tV's top-rating Australian Story screened Man of the Century - the remarkable untold story of Nugget Rees, and viewers' response to it was quite extraordinary. Producer Wendy Page described it as 'without doubt the most joyous and inspiring story I have ever produced'.Nugget's father got him his first job sweeping floors at a sports store where he developed a love for cricket. He has been a friend, confidant and motivator to first-class and test cricketers at the Adelaide Oval for over 45 years.the elite players love him - Ian Chappell, Jeff thomson, Dennis Lillee, Glen McGrath, Shane Warne, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. Adam Gilchrist sums up their 'the Australian team has embraced 'Nugget'.He is the most open, honest, respectful, loyal human being I've known'. this is his life story - cricket's 'Peter Pan' living his dream.

240 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2009

About the author

Ashley Mallett was a former South Australian and Australian off-spinner. He played in 39 Test matches and nine One-day Internationals between 1968 and 1980.

In 91 first-class matches for South Australia he took 390 wickets at an average of 24.44, second only to Clarrie Grimmett. In 183 first-class games he claimed 693 wickets at 26.27. He was Australia's most successful off spin bowler since Hugh Trumble, who played for Australia between 1890 and 1904.

He took 8-59 at the Adelaide Oval against Pakistan in 1972-73, the best Test performance in the 20th century at that ground.

Since retiring from cricket he has been a successful coach and has written 26 books, mostly on cricket. One of his non-cricketing books is 'The Boys from St Francis, Stories of the remarkable Aboriginal activists, artists and athletes who grew up in one seaside home'.