NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Dennis Lillee

Dennis Keith Lillee (born July 18, 1949 in Subiaco, Western Australia) was an Australian cricketer. Australia's most consistent fast bowler during the 1970s and early 1980s, Lillee was known for his fiery temperament, 'never-say-die' attitude and popularity with the fans. July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... The City of Subiaco is a Local Government Area of Western Australia. ... Emblems: Floral - Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii); Mammal - Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus); Bird - Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) Motto: none Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Const. ... For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ... Fast bowling, sometimes known as pace bowling, is a technique used for bowling in the sport of cricket. ...

In the early part of his career Lillee was an extremely quick bowler, but a number of stress fractures in his back almost ended his career. Taking on a strict fitness regime, he fought his way back to full fitness, eventually returning to international cricket. By the time of his retirement from international cricket in 1984 he had become the then world record holder for most Test wickets (355), and had firmly established himself as one of the most recognisable and renowned Australian sportsmen of all time. A stress fracture is one type of incomplete fractures in bones. ... Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. ...

Early career

Lillee made his debut for Western Australia in the 1969-70 domestic season as a raw twenty year old, immediately impressing with his pace and work-rate. The Western Warriors are an Australian first class cricket team based in Perth, Western Australia. ...

Within two years he had been called up to the Australian national team, making his Test debut in the home Ashes series against England in Adelaide, January 1971. He took 5 for 83 off 28.3 overs, a fantastic result for a debut match. The Ashes is a regular international cricket contest between England and Australia, played every two years, so named after the trophy, which is a small wooden urn, said to contain the burnt bails from an 1882 game between the countries at The Oval. ... The logo of the England Cricket Team which shows the three Lions of England below a five-pointed crown The England cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales, operating under the auspices of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). ... Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia, with a population of over 1. ... In the sport of cricket an over is a series of six consecutive balls bowled by a single bowler. ...

Representing Australia against a World XI in December of that year, he destroyed a powerful batting lineup including the likes of Sir Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Rohan Kanhai and Sunil Gavaskar, taking 8 for 29 in the first innings of the match on his home ground in Perth. Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers (born July 28, 1936 in Barbados), better known as Garry Sobers, was a West Indies cricket player. ... Clive Hubert Lloyd, born 31 August 1944 in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana), is a former West Indies cricketer. ... Rohan Bholalall Kanhai(born December 26, 1935 in Port Mourant, Berbice, British Guiana) was a West Indian batsman in the late fifties, sixties and early seventies. ... Sunil Manohar Gavaskar (Marathi:à¤¸à¥à¤¨à¤¿à¤² à¤®à¤¨à¥‹à¤¹à¤° à¤—à¤¾à¤µà¤¸à¤•à¤°) (born July 10, 1949 at Bombay, Maharashtra), nicknamed Sunny, was a cricket player during the 1970s and 1980s for Bombay and India. ... Perth is the capital of the Australian state of Western Australia. ...

Lillee followed this performance up with a successful Ashes tour of England in 1972, starring in a 2-2 drawn series, with 31 wickets at the outstanding average of 17.67. Bowling average is a statistic measuring the performance of bowlers in the sport of cricket. ...

For his performances in the 1972 series, Lillee was selected as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 1973. The Wisden Cricketers of the Year award is made annually in the pages of the Wisden Cricketers Almanack yearbook. ...

Comeback from injury

In 1973, during a tour of the West Indies, Lillee was diagnosed with an incredible four spinal stress fractures, and he was forced out of cricket. The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ...

Many journalists and fans alike thought that his career may have ended, but Lillee persevered and put himself onto an intensive physiotherapy course, reshaping his bowling action. Physical therapy can help restore lost functionality in many people. ...

Following his strict fitness regime, Lillee returned to competitive cricket just eighteen months after being diagnosed with his potentially career-ending injuries, and soon re-established himself in the Australian Test team.

He was paired with fellow fast bowler Jeff Thomson - whom many consider to be the fastest bowler of all time - for the 1974-75 home Ashes series against England, and the pair combined with devastating effect to help Australia to an emphatic 4-1 series victory. In 1975, the University of Western Australia timed Lillee's bowling at 154.8 km/h. For more coverage of cricket, go to the Cricket portal. ...

Later career

Lillee had improved his bowling action into one that is now universally considered as almost perfect, and many considered him "the complete bowler".

He became the second quickest bowler ever to reach 200 Test wickets, after former Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett, and in the 1980-81 home series against India passed Richie Benaud's record for most Test wickets for Australia (248). Leg spin is a type of spin bowling in the sport of cricket. ... Clarence Victor Clarrie Grimmett (1891-Australian cricket player, thought by many to be one of the finest early spin bowlers, and usually credited as the developer of the flipper. ... Richard Richie Benaud OBE (born October 6, 1930 in Penrith, New South Wales) is a former Australian cricketer. ...

In 1977 Lillee was one of the Australian players to join World Series Cricket, backed by media mogul Kerry Packer, resulting in his enforced absence from the Test and one-day international teams. For more coverage of cricket, go to the Cricket portal. ... Kerry Francis Bullmore Packer AC (17 December 1937 â€“ 26 December 2005) was an Australian publishing, media and gaming tycoon. ... A One-day International (ODI) cricket match is a one-day cricket match played over 50 overs per side between two international teams each representing a particular country. ...

Lillee became the then-world record holder for number of Test wickets in 1981 during one of his most famous Test performances. Late on day one of the traditional Boxing Day match in Melbourne, Lillee ripped through the strong West Indian batting line-up, dismissing Desmond Haynes, Colin Croft, and (famously) Viv Richards, to leave them at 4 for 10 at stumps. The next day he went on to innings figures of 7 for 83, and his dismissal of Larry Gomes saw him pass Lance Gibbs' record of 309 Test wickets. Boxing Day is a public holiday observed in many Commonwealth countries on 26 December. ... Melbournes Yarra River is a popular area for walking, jogging, cycling, rowing and for relaxing on the banks with a picnic Melbourne (pronounced ) is the second most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3. ... Learie Constantine, was one of the first great West Indian players. ... Desmond Haynes (born February 15, 1956 in Barbados) is a West Indian cricketer and cricket coach. ... Colin Croft was a West Indian cricketer. ... Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards (born St Johns, Antigua on 7 March 1952), better known by his second name, Vivian or, more popularly, simply as Viv is a former West Indian cricketer. ... Larry Gomes (born July 13, 1953) was a former West Indian cricketer. ... Lancelot Richard Gibbs (born 29 September 1934 in Georgetown, British Guiana [now Guyana]) was a West Indies cricketer, one of the most successful spin bowlers in Test cricket history. ...

Still a huge hit with the fans, Lillee continued his international career until famously retiring along with Greg Chappell and Rod Marsh after the Sydney Test match against Pakistan in January 1984; many consider this 'triple retirement' had an adverse impact on the Australian national team as their performances soon slumped. Gregory Stephen Chappell (born August 7, 1948) is a former Australian cricketer. ... Rodney William Marsh (born Armadale, Perth, Australia November 4, 1947) was an Australian Wicket keeper. ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia with a metropolitan area population of over 4. ...

Throughout his Australian career Lillee was also famous for his partnership with wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, and the scorecard entry 'c Marsh b Lillee' appeared 95 times in Tests, a partnership record between wicketkeeper and bowler that is yet to be broken. It was Marsh who gave Lillee his nickname, Fot, on the grounds that when he ran in to bowl, Lillee put him in mind of a 'Fucking Old Tart'. A wicket keeper in characteristic position, ready to face a delivery. ...

By the time of his retirement Lillee was the most successful Test bowler in history, with 355 wickets at the outstanding average of 23.92.

After retirement

Although he retired from international cricket in 1984, Lillee continued playing first-class cricket until 1988 for Tasmania in the Australian domestic scene, undoubtedly helping them to become a recognised force in the Sheffield Shield competition at the time. The Tasmanian Tigers are the official first-class cricket team of Tasmania, Australia. ... The Pura Cup (formerly known as the Sheffield Shield) is the domestic first class cricket competition in Australia. ...

During the 1990s and in the early years of the 21st century Lillee has dedicated himself to educating and improving young fast bowlers, working closely with bowlers from all around the world. He is currently considered one of the finest fast bowling coaches in the world. The 21st century is the present century of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Lillee continued playing social cricket until 1999 for the traditional ACB President's XI match against touring sides at Lilac Hill. In his final match he took three wickets alongside his son Adam. Cricket Australia logo Cricket Australia (ABN 53 006 089 130) an Australian Public Company, Limited By Guarantee, formerly the Australian Cricket Board, is the governing body for professional cricket in Australia. ... Lilac Hill is a picturesque cricket ground in Western Australia in the Perth suburb of Guildford, where the Swan River wraps itself around its southern and eastern sides. ...

Teams

International

Australian state

The Tasmanian Tigers are the official first-class cricket team of Tasmania, Australia. ... The Western Warriors are an Australian first class cricket team based in Perth, Western Australia. ...

English county

Northamptonshire Cricket Club is one of the 18 major counties which make up the English domestic cricket structure. ...

Career highlights

Tests

Test Debut: vs England, Adelaide, 1970-1971
Last Test: vs Pakistan, Sydney, 1983-1984 The logo of the England Cricket Team which shows the three Lions of England below a five-pointed crown The England cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales, operating under the auspices of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). ... Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia, with a population of over 1. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia with a metropolitan area population of over 4. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Media Centre at Lords Cricket Ground Lords Cricket Ground is a cricket ground in St Johns Wood in London. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Learie Constantine, was one of the first great West Indian players. ... Melbournes Yarra River is a popular area for walking, jogging, cycling, rowing and for relaxing on the banks with a picnic Melbourne (pronounced ) is the second most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

One-day internationals

ODI Debut: vs England, Manchester, 1972
Last ODI: vs West Indies, Lord's, 1983 Manchester is a major city within Greater Manchester in North West England, historically notable for being the worlds first industrialised city, and its subsequent central role in the Industrial Revolution. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

Perth is the capital of the Australian state of Western Australia. ... Statistics Population: 443,247 Ordnance Survey OS grid reference: SE297338 Administration Metropolitan borough: City of Leeds Metropolitan county: West Yorkshire Region: Yorkshire and the Humber Constituent country: England Sovereign state: United Kingdom Other Ceremonial county: West Yorkshire Historic county: Yorkshire (West Riding) Services Police force: West Yorkshire Police Ambulance service... The Cricket World Cup in 1975 (aka Prudential Cup, 1975) was the first edition of the tournament. ...

Controversy

World Series cricket

Lillee wasn't immune to controversy through his career. In 1977 he was one of the top Australian cricketers to sign up for World Series Cricket, which forced him out of mainstream international cricket for a number of years. For more coverage of cricket, go to the Cricket portal. ...

'Heavy Metal'

One of the most infamous incidents in Lillee's career occurred at the WACA cricket ground in December of 1979. Australia were playing England, and were in trouble at the end of the first day, at a score of 8/232 with Lillee not out. When the second day of play began, Lillee emerged onto the field carrying not the traditional willow bat, but a cricket bat made from aluminium. The bat, manufactured by the company of Lillee's good friend Graham Monoghan, was intended only as a cheap replacement for traditional cricket bats for schools and developing countries. Nevertheless, Lillee decided to use it in the Test match, and at that point, there were no rules against using such a bat. The WACA is the commonly used name to describe the sports ground in Perth, Western Australia as well as its owners and operators, the Western Australian Cricket Association. ... For the Smashing Pumpkins song, see 1979 (song). ... Species About 350, including: Salix acutifolia - Violet Willow Salix alaxensis - Alaska Willow Salix alba - White Willow Salix alpina - Alpine Willow Salix amygdaloides - Peachleaf Willow Salix arbuscula - Mountain Willow Salix arbusculoides - Littletree Willow Salix arctica - Arctic Willow Salix atrocinerea Salix aurita - Eared Willow Salix babylonica - Peking Willow Salix bakko Salix barrattiana... General Name, Symbol, Number aluminium, Al, 13 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 13, 3, p Appearance silvery Atomic mass 26. ...

The trouble began on the fourth ball of the day, when Lillee straight drove a ball from Ian Botham. The ball went for three runs, and nothing appeared untoward. However, Australian captain Greg Chappell thought that the ball should have gone for a four, and instructed twelfth man Rodney Hogg to deliver a conventional wooden bat to Lillee. As this was happening, English captain Mike Brearley complained to umpires Max O'Connell and Don Weser that the metallic bat was damaging the soft, leather cricket ball. Ian Terence Botham OBE, (born November 24, 1955 in Heswall, Cheshire) (nicknamed Both, Beefy, Beef or Guy the Gorilla) was an England Test cricketer. ... Runs or running is a music slang term for ad libbing and expanding on a musical note with ones voice. ... Gregory Stephen Chappell (born August 7, 1948) is a former Australian cricketer. ... Four is devoted to the development of an uninhibited artistic exploration of ideas, discourses and new trends in contemporary art and its practices. ... The phrase 12th Man or Twelfth Man can refer to: The name given to the twelfth (reserve) player in a cricket team. ... Rodney Malcolm Hogg (born March 5, 1951, Melbourne) is a former Victorian and Australian cricketer. ... John Michael Brearley (born in Harrow, Middlesex, on 28 April 1942) was a cricketer who captained the England cricket team in 31 of his 39 Test matches, winning 17 and losing only 4. ... Maxwell George Oâ€™Connell, (born 4 April 1936 in Alberton, South Australia), was an Australian Test cricket match umpire. ... Donald Gordon (Don) Weser, (born 8 February 1937), is a retired Australian Test cricket match umpire, from Western Australia. ...

Lillee instructed Hogg that he wasn't going to change his bat, and assumed a posture to face the next delivery. Brearley, Lillee, and the umpires held an animated discussion for almost ten minutes, before Chappell decided that the game would be held up if things continued. He emerged onto the ground, took one of the willow bats from Hogg, and instructed Lillee to be quiet and use the bat. Lillee threw his aluminium bat away in disgust ("[throwing] the offending lump of metal fully 40 yards towards the pavilion")[1], and grudgingly took the wooden bat.

Astonishingly, Lillee was not censured or disciplined for this incident. Both the umpires and the Australian Cricket Board decided to let Lillee off with only a warning. After the game, sales of the bat skyrocketed for a few months, with Monoghan giving Lillee a small cut of the profits. This only lasted a few months though, before the laws of the game were amended, specifying that bats had to be made from wood. The actual wooden bat that Lillee used is still in his possession. After the match ended, he had it signed by both teams. Brearley, realising a sales stunt when he saw one, simply signed the bat "Good luck with the sales". Cricket Australia, formerly the Australian Cricket Board, is the governing body for professional cricket in Australia. ...

Lillee vs Miandad

Described as "one of the most undignified incidents in Test history", the clash between Lillee and Pakistani batsman Javed Miandad in 1981 was especially explosive. Mohammad Javed Miandad (Urdu: Ù…ØÙ…Ø¯ Ø¬Ø§ÙˆÛŒØ¯ Ù…ÛŒØ§Ù†Ø¯Ø§Ø¯ ) (born June 12, 1957), known in the Cricketing World as Javed Miandad (Urdu: Ø¬Ø§ÙˆÛŒØ¯ Ù…ÛŒØ§Ù†Ø¯Ø§Ø¯), was born in Karachi, Pakistan. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Anthony Ronald (Tony) Crafter, (born 5 December 1940 in Mount Barker, South Australia), was an Australian Test cricket match umpire. ... An athlete throwing the javelin. ...

Awards, records and accolades

The Wisden Cricketers of the Year award is made annually in the pages of the Wisden Cricketers Almanack yearbook. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is a part of the Australian Gallery of Sport and the Olympic Museum in the Melbourne Cricket Ground. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Men at Work was an Australian reggae-influenced rock band of the early 1980s (see 1980s in music). ...

Contents

Early career

Comeback from injury

Later career

After retirement

Teams

International

Australian state

English county

Career highlights

Tests

One-day internationals

Controversy

World Series cricket

'Heavy Metal'

Lillee vs Miandad

Awards, records and accolades

See also

External links

Contents

Early career GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Comeback from injury

Later career

After retirement

Teams

International

Australian state

English county

Career highlights

Tests

One-day internationals

Controversy

World Series cricket

'Heavy Metal'

Lillee vs Miandad

Awards, records and accolades

See also

External links

Early career