Dennis Lillee
Outstanding fast bowler of his generation and world record holder for most Test wickets at retirement.
Dennis Keith Lillee (born 18 July 1949) is a retired Australian cricketer rated as the 'outstanding fast bowler of his generation'. Lillee formed a new ball partnership with Jeff Thomson, which is recognised as one of the greatest bowling pairs of all time.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Right-arm Fast Bowler
- Affiliation
- Australia National Cricket Team
- Debut era
- 1970s
- Test wickets
- 355
- Odi wickets
- 128
- Status
- Retired Legend
Lore & Background
In the early part of his career Lillee was an extremely fast 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 world record holder for most Test wickets with 355, and had firmly established himself as one of the most recognisable and renowned Australian sportsmen of all time.
Reader's Guide
Lillee was a part of the Australian squad which finished as runners-up at the 1975 Cricket World Cup. He is the subject of the song 'Water Lillee' on Lord Kitchener's 1976 album Home for Carnival. In a fan poll conducted by the CA in 2017, he was named in the country's best Ashes XI of the previous 40 years. On 17 December 2009, Lillee was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
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