Watched him in his prime back in the 70’s and he was just fantastic. Not only very quick but very clever too and when he got Jeff Thomson as his partner things got even better.
Nice! My Uni buddy bought me a book "Caught Marsh bowled Lillee" and I'm reading it now 30 years after receiving it. I like to get onto things rather quickly you see!
@@bronxcheer1484 Congratulations drongo. Having just watched the video myself, I can categorically state that you must have your head up your arse and couldn't clearly hear what Willis said.
For my 10th birthday, my folks took me to the SCG for the 7th (yes,7th) test in February '71. Sitting in the old Brewongle Stand,Tony Dell opened from the Paddington end. Lillee took the 2nd over bowling from the Randwick end. We couldn't see the ball until it was virtually landing in Rod Marsh's gloves. He was the inspiration for 1000's of kids like myself in trying to bowl the same. Ah well, I never quite made it, tho have ended up with a metal hip, knee and revision triple fusion's in the foot...he truly was that inspiring, and simply the best. Thanks for the upload, particularly with some very rare footage of 1975/6 v Windies, when our champion team was at it's very peak. Thanks again 👍😁
I was a bit young, but my cricket fanatic Grandmother went to the 75 Test in Sydney against England and she said Lillee and Thommo were terrifying. We saw a good few quicks together over the years (Holding, Croft, Lee, Tait, Akhtar, and a few others), but she always said Lillee and Thommo on that 74-75 tour were the most dangerous she ever saw. She saw Bradman play a few times too, I always envied her that. She's spectating from the great cricket ground in the sky now, I hope to join her in the stands one day to enjoy the eternal Test Match.
World Series cricket gave these great stars a future. In return Lillee, Marsh, Laird, Malone,Edwards and all those other pioneers inspired a generation of sports people all over the world.. Thank you.
I simply can't believe how batters used to play the quicks without protective gears, facing Lille-Thomson or the Windies quicks of the 70's without helmets is like inviting death....if today's T20 batters faced them without helmets, then plenty of casualties would have happened that's for sure.....
The key to great Athletes is their ability to learn a better way, even though they are having success. Few can do it. Lillee is one of the finest examples of this. Because he had to. He had the sense to use the time recovering to learn.
Met Dennis once down south of WA in 1988... a completely nice gentleman he was! What a fan moment! I first watched him play in 1980 as a kid and he was scorchingly fast! Cannot imagine him in 1975-77. Dennis and Thomo... awesome legends!
Cricket the greatest team game ever invented. Anyone who has ever played the game . no matter what standard can testify that that ball hurts when it hits you. Batsman pre helmet days had nerves of steel and boundless courage.
🎉I was honoured to work as a trainer under the supervision of Dr Frank Pyke, with the World Series Cricket group in W.A. Which included D.K. Lillee, and some awesome sportsmen. Thank you and I hope my work in sport after that time, further honours what you taught me.
Caught Marsh, Bowled Lillee. How many times did I see that as a kid! Absolute legends playing other legends of the game from around the world. I think Viv Richards is the another from that era who stands out in my mind for being so intimidating. Obviously not a bowler(apart from his part-time spin bowling), but his aggression with the bat was fearsome! Or The Big Bird, Joel Garner. Bounce! So many legends in this video. As an aspiring but failed fast bowler as a kid at the time, I tried to impersonate Dennis Lillee’s action.
I like what he said in 1984 when he retired that his body can take it physically but not mentally, that's a person who knows what it takes to be perform only at the top of their game and does not settle for second best !
What a personality snd Fast bowler who set attitude for the pacers.Indian cricket today is because of his contribution to MRF. Lots of live and respect from India
Those were the greatest years for characters & true legends of the day. And no other bowler could match the greatness of DK Lillee... Especially when Thommo was from the other end
That australian team between 74-76 was probably one of the strongest teams in all history Would rival bradmans team and that brilliant West indies team in the mid 80s players such as the chappell brothers , redpath walters, marsh, walker, mallet the off spinner if they played him Gilmour, edwards And the ferocious lillee and thomson I think from memory late 71 to early 77 they never lost a test series It was a great Australian team
the Aussie team from 1971 to 1976 won 5 series and drew 2. the 2001-2004 side was more dominant with 11 series won and 1 draw. and yes they lost the Ashes in 2005 to England, but then they won them back in 2006 with a 5-0 whitewash... the most dominant team ever to play the game. Gilchrist the destroyer. and a couple of cricketers like McGrath, Warne & Ponting.... who weren't too bad.
He has definitely left a huge impression of the game along with his partner Thommo. Lenny Pascoe was no slouch and made a good contribution to the attack. So many greats of the game here with Ross Edwards being one of our greatest ever cover fieldsmen. Rodney Marsh's contributions and legacy to the game should never be overlooked. Love some of the remarks made by Sir Bob Willis, himself a great Pommie.
Had the absolute pleaser of watching Dennis, Thommo and the rest a few times, all at the WACA 1980-82 tests and one dayers. Up against the Windies, All their best on a hot WA day, packed crowd right up to the rope, what a scene it was, couldnt believe this little country lad was experiencing it, it was surreal. Was at the WACA the day he had his runin with Miandad and I heard everything he said. It will never escape my lips ever! And he was right! 🤣
too many people don't know that Lillee was seriously quick before his stress fracture he came back smarter & worked batsmen over....he was still quick but also had the perfect foil in Thomson
After his famous comeback from 4x spinal vertebrae stress fractures, Lillee was clocked at the UWA in 1977, @ 154.8kmh. In 1972 in England, Lillee was at his breathtakingly fastest & furious. He was apparently near the 100mph mark.
I'm 58 years old. I still remember the series between Pak VS Aussie in mid Seventies, where Pakistan managed to draw the series in Australia after winning the third test match. Majid khan gave his cap to lillee because Denis wanted him to duck on his short pitch bowls. It was a remarkable series. I think Jeff got hurt in that series also.
I played with the same Perth grade club as DK in the late 60s just as he was breaking into the WA state team. I was an opening batsman used to pace bowling but just watching him in the nets was terrifying and I needed a change of underwear after each session!
I played cricket against fast bowler Martin McCague. I think that I managed to get bat on ball about 2 balls out of 6. His little brother was the wicketkeeper for their side. I can only imagine what it would have been like to face up to Lillee.
As an Australian, I’d say there’s a case for Richard Hadlee as greatest ever fast bowler - partly on his fantastic numbers, eg 18.7 average away from home in his last 12 years (Dennis’s was 24.3), an even longer career (17 years) but also leading NZ to its first series wins against Australia, West Indies and England, only repeated a couple of times since vs Aus and England. Not as quick or flamboyant as Lilllee, but immense skill.
It’s always either Dennis Lillee or Malcolm Marshall that are in the argument for best test match fast bowler ever. Personally I’d be over the moon if either one were on my imaginary best test side ever.
I rate McGrath very highly, he could get openers out AND also tailenders. Dennis bowled a perfect line just outside the off stump that the tailend batsmen were not good enough to get a touch on them or to nick them.
@@qre268ZrtbDennis Lillee is still Australia's greatest ever fast bowler. He had it all, inswingers, outswingers, short pitched bowling, seamers, at high pace. At his peak, he was one of the fastest bowler's in history. The Complete Fast Bowler. McGrath fantastic in his era, but at their peaks, Lillee, Thomson, McGrath, Lindwall. Lillee took 467x wkts in just 92x Unofficial Test's, including 29x 5wkt, 9x 10WM, BBI 8/29 Vs 1972 ROTW XI, BBM 12/89 Vs WSC World XI, 12/92 Vs 1972 ROTW XI. He took 159x ODI Wkts @ 18.39. He is still Ashes Test's greatest ever fast bowling wkt taker, 29x Test's, 167wkts @ 21. He played 16x Test's in England, taking 96x wkts @ 20.56. In Ashes Test's, 11x 5wkt hauls (No. 2 All-time), 4x 10WM (No. 1 All-time). He still holds the fast bowling record for the most wkts in a Calendar Year, 1981, 85x wkts in just 13x Test's against England, India, Pakistan & West Indies, including 3x 10WM against 3x different countries. It is still the fast bowling record to this day. Still the greatest.
Well done sir, you are an outstanding judge. Lillee, Marshall & Akram are the 3 Greatest Fast Bowlers I've ever seen and are in my all time Greatest side of player's I've seen.
Andy Roberts whom was a great West Indies pace bowler summed it up well. Probably the best fast bowler where ever seen. Only saw him in his veteran years but his action and skill are the best I seen. Richard Hadlee that appears in these interviews had an awesome action also and up there with the skill level too. I still think they are the two best pace bowlers I seen in all the time I have watched Test cricket. Wasim Akram not too far behind them. 70's to the early 90's been the best time I can think to watch pace bowlers in Test cricket and most in the 90's would have learnt to try to emulate the pace and skill of Lillee, Roberts, Holding, Garner, Marshall, Hadlee and Imran Khan that set the standard any great wanted to each in the next era. Wasim Akram, Allan Donald and Curtly Ambrose still continued the trend for a few more years before spin bowlers started to become match winner themselves too. It is a pity the conditions of pitches, smaller boundaries and thicker bats make it easier for batsmen now and lessen it as a contest for most matches. Thankful I saw it before it all changed so can appreciate how great the era was when likes of Lillee, Hadlee, Holding and Imran Khan made fast bowling so exciting to watch.
The raw, masculine, strong run up and pace was a sight to behold ! I guess that bustling muscular delivery stride took its toll on even his young physique. No better sight, even after all these years since 1975 !! 😍😍👅👅 ! No wonder that Lillee and Thomson, together gave England and the West Indies nightmares ! 👌👏🏻
I grew up with Trueman and Statham the great England fast bowlers and I think it was EW Stanton on first seeing Lille said that he was “decidedly quick”.
rod marsh was well loved by cricket fans so sad australia didnt give the big send of that warnie got marsh was a legend too caught marsh bowled lillee long live thee legends
@13:15 when Andy Roberts HIMSELF says "Lillee is the greatest fast bowler we ever had"... that's enough for me. this is the guy who spearheaded the greatest West Indian attack of all time, along with Michael Holding. I trust his judgement.
He grew up in my area and I know someone who played with him at Perth Cricket Club before he obviously played before W.A and then Australia. Apparently Dennis has a brother that was even faster than Dennis. But he chose a career in the military over Cricket.
I doubt anyone in history knows more about fast Bowling, not only one of the greatest fast bowlers in history, but with little doubt the greatest fast bowling coach of all time. Mitchell Johnson went to him when he was struggling and the first thing DK asked him, how much running are you doing?
I have two unrelated points: When I was a little boy my dad and I were late entering the MCG for a test match. Dennis was suspended from that match due to the incident with Javed Miandad. As we walked up to the ground I noticed Dennis walking behind us. Dad and I said hello as did Dennis. I have not forgotten. It is well past time that the statistics from World Series Cricket are included in overall career statistics. The best were playing the best. The standard was higher than the sanctioned matches. The hierarchy from the time have now passed away. The scars have faded.
The strongest Australian team could be beaten by the West Indies team of late 70s and early 80s. Great Don Bradman had testified their strength. Australian teams and pace bowlers., including Dennis Lilee, Jeff Thomson, Glen Magrath, Mitchel Johnson, failed miserably in Asia., while the West Indians had their strength everywhere
Maybe the best ever. I often wonderd if batters would have been a bit better with todays protective gear. Butbthen he was still getting wickets once helmets, better pads, outer and inner thigh pads, better gloves and definitely better boxes.
From The Quicks, by Robert Drane (2022) "The Great. First fasty picked in most all-time sides. Fulminating, avenging, taciturn, he bowled like a man with an empire to protect. Moments of humour were rare. Off-field, he was diffident, deferential, a listener. The creator, Dennis Keith Lillee, and the creation, The Magnificent D.K., weren’t always like-minded. The creator remained reliably himself. The creation assumed an imperious, turbulent, grand life of his own, ever a work in progress. The Magnificent D.K. rumbled down upon the cricket world and, with the leap of a gazelle, sprang out of the West, where, like his future cohort Thomson across the country, he must have arrested the development of many a youngster, who’d melt away before his long, bullocking approach and the iron ferocity of his stare. The sun seemed trapped in the dark tresses of his hair. His method was Lindwall’s, Hall’s: dramatic charge, elegant explosion. Impressive imposition. His art seemed so easy by the time we got to see him, he must have tamed its adamantine block early in life. He treated batsman as intruders, relenting a little only when he twigged he wasn’t alone in thriving on antagonism. Even then, though, he couldn’t entirely help himself. Words weren’t needed really. He had wits, and that run-up alone taxed a man’s resolve - at first because the result would be dangerous speed, and then, as he matured, because of the sheer mystery of his iniquity. To a batsman, it was like watching an abstract entity called ‘looming intent’ take on shape, then flesh, and crash through - pitiless, deceptive, snarling, enveloping, infernal."
Perhaps Lillee and Tommo , were the best Duo ,I loved them , gods , both , but nothing compared to Roberts , Holding , Marshall , Ambrose, Garner , Walsh , the first 4/5 all genuine 100 mph bowlers , all in the same side , That is why I rate Steve Waugh the most courageous BATSMAN to ever face a ball , gutsy prick , rather not put his bat near the unplayable ball ,which was constant , and get a medal on the body , but protect and keep his wicket , he'd grind them down , wow , his courage was inspiring, Border was the only other in the "wear em , with pride ", category, no helmets , they breed bad habits , take eye off ball , turn head duck into ball , but no helmet , no turn head , no turn head , keep eyes on ball , keep eyes on ball and move inside the line of trajectory of ball , duck inside the line , cricket ain't cricket any more , I said it the WSC ,ONE DAYERS , CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS , youve just invented BASEBALL, Drop in pitches , slogging , oh well
Lillee formed a new ball partnership with Jeff Thomson which is recognised as one of the greatest bowling pairs of all time. I am surprised you even spoke his name ... Lillie was good yes but Thomo was better .
Dennis Lillee dropped in on me riding his surf ski at a surf break in the southwest of WA. I was on the inside paddling my surfboard and he dug his paddle into my leg as he hassled me for the wave. I was a kid and I let rip at him about his lack of skill and surf knowledge after cutting the back of my leg. Dennis circled me on his ski and said aggressively…..”DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM”…… 😂🤣😂🤣 Stick to cricket KOOK!
Just refer Dennis Lilee's and Jeff Thomson's body language., which is available via numerous videos, from 1978 - till their retirement, they were behaving like shy brides, when playing against the West indians. They were treated very sweetly by some west indians of those era. Plenty of videos are there, by the West indians, who had suffered in that series, who had alleging Australian ugly behavior. West Indies, had the best cricket team, even before Sylvester Clarke and Collin Croft., they had defeated England in England 3 - 1., but before the next meeting with the Australians, they brought these two gentlemen, to treat ugly Australian sledgers. Everybody knows, what Sylvester Clarke had done, for a passive comment, by a Pakistani spectator. When he come to know about the ill deeds of the Australians, inflicted unceremoniously, on the West Indians., then it should have been really painful for the Australian sledgers and Abusers. The result was clearly evident on that 1981 series,staged in Australia. Absolutely submissive body language by Dennis Lilee&co, before the West Indians. Both Sylvester Clarke and Collin Croft were faster., they were taller, stronger and extremely ferocious. Lilee scolded and abused shorter people like Javed Miandad and Sunil Gavasker., leaving out Imran and kapil Dev., this speaks volumes about his mental strength, and what a coward he was in his playing days
Lillee vs Marshall debate.Marshall may have performed better in the sub continent but Lillee bowled against a better English team and a far superior West Indies team to what Marshall had against Australia and England in the 80's.
England batting in the mid-70s wasn’t better than the 80s. Fletcher, Denness and 42 year old Cowdrey made a weak middle order. But fair point about the Windies sides he played.
Jeff Thomson may not be the quickest. He struggled on slow pitches right through his career. And once, the West indians took over., he got the lesson of his life, for sledging and abusing the opposition. Jeff Thomson was the most expensive bowler of his generation, with an economy of 4.56 runs per over., even tail enders used to to tonk him for big sixes
The reason this era of the Cricket being considered as THE TOUGHEST is due to such Hostile and Exceptional Fast Bowling !!! To be faced without any protective gears...... From 70's to 90's And till 2003.... Cricket was not easy-going T20....
1976 series between Australia and West lndies, was staged with the most disgraceful and shameful incidents in cricket history, well above the body line series., Plenty of racial abuse and sledging were involved, along with body line from Australian gentlemen, at the helm of affairs, ably supported by a team of sledgers, including Dennis Lilee and Jeff Thomson.West Indies lost that series, very badly, just because of this continued torture. clive Lloyd, himself described it as bruised and battered. But he comeback strongly with gutsy People like Sylvester Clarke and Collin Croft., they were extremely quick bowlers too. Jeff Thomson tried to repeat his 1976 Show by aggression, during the 1978 series, happened in West Indies. This time tamed him up wasting no time. The poor fellow got the necessary lessons, and was reformed. History says., Dennis Lilee and co along with these two leaders were extremely obedient and well mannered, when playing against the West Indies, although they were often arrogant against others. It is wonderful too see, a scared Dennis Lilee and Jeff Thomson, when playing against West Indies
Sylvester Clarke and collin Croft., perfect antidotes for these ugly Australian sledgers, invented by the greatest captain in cricket history, clive Lloyd.If these gentlemen had played, in this series.,the result would have been reversed. You may have to visit Dennis Lilee, Jeff Thomson,in mortuary. Everybody knows how Sylvester Clarke take ting, particularly, after that incident in Pakistan. He was the fastest bowler of his time, and he proved it in the slow pitches of India and Pakistan. Jeff Thomson alway struggled in slow pitches. Even in 1975, when he was at his fastest, he struggled miserably in England. He always failed against Pakistan., both at home and in Pakistan. Dennis Lilee and all other Australian bowlers, generally struggled in Asia, while West indians thrived and conquered, everywhere.
fine bowler for sure but greatest? How can u say that when he never bowled in the Indian subcontinent. Once I heard an argument that if a batsman needs to great he needs to score in fast bouncy wickets in Australia, SA... Well same logic applies to a fast bowler in my book, they need to prove themselves in the dead pitches in the subcontinent. Sorry, neither Lillee nor Tomo proved themselves here.
Andy Roberts whom was a great West Indies pace bowler summed it up well. Probably the best fast bowler we ever seen. Only saw him in his veteran years but his action and skill are the best I seen. Richard Hadlee that appears in these interviews had an awesome action also and up there with the skill level too. I still think they are the two best pace bowlers I seen in all the time I have watched Test cricket. Wasim Akram not too far behind them. 1970's to the early 90's been the best time I can think to watch pace bowlers in Test cricket and most in the 90's would have learnt to try to emulate the pace and skill of Lillee, Roberts, Holding, Garner, Marshall, Hadlee and Imran Khan that set the standard any great wanted to reach in the next era. Wasim Akram, Allan Donald and Curtly Ambrose still continued the trend for a few more years before spin bowlers started to become match winner themselves too. It is a pity the conditions of pitches, smaller boundaries and thicker bats make it easier for batsmen now and lessen it as a contest for most matches. Thankful I saw it before it all changed so can appreciate how great the era was when likes of Lillee, Hadlee, Holding and Imran Khan made fast bowling so exciting to watch.
Lillee and Thompson. What a pairing the Australians had
Watched him in his prime back in the 70’s and he was just fantastic. Not only very quick but very clever too and when he got Jeff Thomson as his partner things got even better.
I'm in my 50's and I still have a poster of him in my garage.
Nice! My Uni buddy bought me a book "Caught Marsh bowled Lillee" and I'm reading it now 30 years after receiving it. I like to get onto things rather quickly you see!
Great player on the field but he is the most polite well spoken and respectful gentleman u could ever meet. Legend off the field too
I couldn't help but smile when Willis said the 1974-75 tour was the most terrifying the English team had ever been through.
He didn’t. Watch again.
@@bronxcheer1484 8.57 mate. Exactly what Willis said
@@bronxcheer1484 You know it really helps your cause to actually be correct when you speak out so confidently. Just sayin'.
@@bronxcheer1484 Congratulations drongo. Having just watched the video myself, I can categorically state that you must have your head up your arse and couldn't clearly hear what Willis said.
For my 10th birthday, my folks took me to the SCG for the 7th (yes,7th) test in February '71.
Sitting in the old Brewongle Stand,Tony Dell opened from the Paddington end.
Lillee took the 2nd over bowling from the Randwick end.
We couldn't see the ball until it was virtually landing in Rod Marsh's gloves.
He was the inspiration for 1000's of kids like myself in trying to bowl the same.
Ah well, I never quite made it, tho have ended up with a metal hip, knee and revision triple fusion's in the foot...he truly was that inspiring, and simply the best.
Thanks for the upload, particularly with some very rare footage of 1975/6 v Windies, when our champion team was at it's very peak.
Thanks again 👍😁
I was a bit young, but my cricket fanatic Grandmother went to the 75 Test in Sydney against England and she said Lillee and Thommo were terrifying.
We saw a good few quicks together over the years (Holding, Croft, Lee, Tait, Akhtar, and a few others), but she always said Lillee and Thommo on that 74-75 tour were the most dangerous she ever saw. She saw Bradman play a few times too, I always envied her that. She's spectating from the great cricket ground in the sky now, I hope to join her in the stands one day to enjoy the eternal Test Match.
Sports loving nannas are the best. Sounds like she was an absolute legend.
I remember watching him when he was in his prime. Then when he played against England in his last Ashes series
he was still man of the series.
World Series cricket gave these great stars a future. In return Lillee, Marsh, Laird, Malone,Edwards and all those other pioneers inspired a generation of sports people all over the world.. Thank you.
My mum grew up with Dennis Lillee and she’s got some great stories of the tanties he used to throw playing front yard cricket.
I simply can't believe how batters used to play the quicks without protective gears, facing Lille-Thomson or the Windies quicks of the 70's without helmets is like inviting death....if today's T20 batters faced them without helmets, then plenty of casualties would have happened that's for sure.....
Those took serious pair of cohones
The key to great Athletes is their ability to learn a better way, even though they are having success. Few can do it.
Lillee is one of the finest examples of this. Because he had to.
He had the sense to use the time recovering to learn.
Met Dennis once down south of WA in 1988... a completely nice gentleman he was! What a fan moment! I first watched him play in 1980 as a kid and he was scorchingly fast! Cannot imagine him in 1975-77. Dennis and Thomo... awesome legends!
Lillee in 71-72 was even faster. total beast mode, but his back couldnt handle his run-in.
My final thought. Rod Marsh was the greatest of them all. A great man in every respect.
Quite the acrobat !
Lillee founder of fast bowling great impactful bowler & dream of my childhood
Thank you ❤️
Cricket the greatest team game ever invented. Anyone who has ever played the game . no matter what standard can testify that that ball hurts when it hits you.
Batsman pre helmet days had nerves of steel and boundless courage.
🎉I was honoured to work as a trainer under the supervision of Dr Frank Pyke, with the World Series Cricket group in W.A. Which included D.K. Lillee, and some awesome sportsmen. Thank you and I hope my work in sport after that time, further honours what you taught me.
Most complete & the Terrifying superb, fast bowler ever produced in entire cricket history.
Caught Marsh, Bowled Lillee. How many times did I see that as a kid! Absolute legends playing other legends of the game from around the world. I think Viv Richards is the another from that era who stands out in my mind for being so intimidating. Obviously not a bowler(apart from his part-time spin bowling), but his aggression with the bat was fearsome! Or The Big Bird, Joel Garner. Bounce! So many legends in this video. As an aspiring but failed fast bowler as a kid at the time, I tried to impersonate Dennis Lillee’s action.
That Marsh Lillee wicket record still stands. Today. Amazing
Dennis was one of the best bowlers I had to privilege to watch in the 70s and 80s
And Rod Marsh’s instincts made Lillie an even greater champion.
I like what he said in 1984 when he retired that his body can take it physically but not mentally, that's a person who knows what it takes to be perform only at the top of their game and does not settle for second best !
My fondest childhood memory, what an absolute legend!
Lillee ... Lilleee ... Lilleeee !
What a personality snd Fast bowler who set attitude for the pacers.Indian cricket today is because of his contribution to MRF. Lots of live and respect from India
Those were the greatest years for characters & true legends of the day.
And no other bowler could match the greatness of DK Lillee... Especially when Thommo was from the other end
The most complete fast-bowler in all cricket history.
That australian team between 74-76 was probably one of the strongest teams in all history
Would rival bradmans team and that brilliant West indies team in the mid 80s
players such as the chappell brothers , redpath walters, marsh, walker, mallet the off spinner if they played him
Gilmour, edwards
And the ferocious lillee and thomson
I think from memory late 71 to early 77 they never lost a test series
It was a great Australian team
the Aussie team from 1971 to 1976 won 5 series and drew 2. the 2001-2004 side was more dominant with 11 series won and 1 draw. and yes they lost the Ashes in 2005 to England, but then they won them back in 2006 with a 5-0 whitewash... the most dominant team ever to play the game. Gilchrist the destroyer. and a couple of cricketers like McGrath, Warne & Ponting.... who weren't too bad.
So sad to see a lot of the legends of the game in this video that have now passed 😢
How good is this doco? How many legends can you fit in one video.
Lillee is the greatest Australian fast bowler of his era and cricket.
Brilliant player
Great swag he had!!
He has definitely left a huge impression of the game along with his partner Thommo. Lenny Pascoe was no slouch and made a good contribution to the attack. So many greats of the game here with Ross Edwards being one of our greatest ever cover fieldsmen. Rodney Marsh's contributions and legacy to the game should never be overlooked. Love some of the remarks made by Sir Bob Willis, himself a great Pommie.
Had the absolute pleaser of watching Dennis, Thommo and the rest a few times, all at the WACA 1980-82 tests and one dayers. Up against the Windies, All their best on a hot WA day, packed crowd right up to the rope, what a scene it was, couldnt believe this little country lad was experiencing it, it was surreal. Was at the WACA the day he had his runin with Miandad and I heard everything he said. It will never escape my lips ever! And he was right! 🤣
too many people don't know that Lillee was seriously quick before his stress fracture
he came back smarter & worked batsmen over....he was still quick but also had the perfect foil in Thomson
After his famous comeback from 4x spinal vertebrae stress fractures, Lillee was clocked at the UWA in 1977, @ 154.8kmh. In 1972 in England, Lillee was at his breathtakingly fastest & furious. He was apparently near the 100mph mark.
I'm 58 years old. I still remember the series between Pak VS Aussie in mid Seventies, where Pakistan managed to draw the series in Australia after winning the third test match. Majid khan gave his cap to lillee because Denis wanted him to duck on his short pitch bowls. It was a remarkable series. I think Jeff got hurt in that series also.
I played with the same Perth grade club as DK in the late 60s just as he was breaking into the WA state team. I was an opening batsman used to pace bowling but just watching him in the nets was terrifying and I needed a change of underwear after each session!
I played cricket against fast bowler Martin McCague. I think that I managed to get bat on ball about 2 balls out of 6. His little brother was the wicketkeeper for their side. I can only imagine what it would have been like to face up to Lillee.
My Cricketing Idol.
3:24 - So where does Dougie get interviewed? In a bar with a beer in front of him. Looks like he's just started on it. Brilliantly apt, haha.
As an Australian, I’d say there’s a case for Richard Hadlee as greatest ever fast bowler - partly on his fantastic numbers, eg 18.7 average away from home in his last 12 years (Dennis’s was 24.3), an even longer career (17 years) but also leading NZ to its first series wins against Australia, West Indies and England, only repeated a couple of times since vs Aus and England. Not as quick or flamboyant as Lilllee, but immense skill.
It’s always either Dennis Lillee or Malcolm Marshall that are in the argument for best test match fast bowler ever. Personally I’d be over the moon if either one were on my imaginary best test side ever.
My world XI 3 fast bowlers are Lillee, Marshall and Akram.
Huge fan of McGrath, Ambrose and Waqar but those are the three I picked.
I rate McGrath very highly, he could get openers out AND also tailenders. Dennis bowled a perfect line just outside the off stump that the tailend batsmen were not good enough to get a touch on them or to nick them.
Great choice.
@@qre268Zrtb you make a good point. Although these days the tail end is much, much better than it used to be.
Very few bunnies these days.
@@qre268ZrtbDennis Lillee is still Australia's greatest ever fast bowler. He had it all, inswingers, outswingers, short pitched bowling, seamers, at high pace. At his peak, he was one of the fastest bowler's in history. The Complete Fast Bowler. McGrath fantastic in his era, but at their peaks, Lillee, Thomson, McGrath, Lindwall. Lillee took 467x wkts in just 92x Unofficial Test's, including 29x 5wkt, 9x 10WM, BBI 8/29 Vs 1972 ROTW XI, BBM 12/89 Vs WSC World XI, 12/92 Vs 1972 ROTW XI. He took 159x ODI Wkts @ 18.39. He is still Ashes Test's greatest ever fast bowling wkt taker, 29x Test's, 167wkts @ 21. He played 16x Test's in England, taking 96x wkts @ 20.56. In Ashes Test's, 11x 5wkt hauls (No. 2 All-time), 4x 10WM (No. 1 All-time). He still holds the fast bowling record for the most wkts in a Calendar Year, 1981, 85x wkts in just 13x Test's against England, India, Pakistan & West Indies, including 3x 10WM against 3x different countries. It is still the fast bowling record to this day. Still the greatest.
Well done sir, you are an outstanding judge. Lillee, Marshall & Akram are the 3 Greatest Fast Bowlers I've ever seen and are in my all time Greatest side of player's I've seen.
Great pacer
Andy Roberts whom was a great West Indies pace bowler summed it up well. Probably the best fast bowler where ever seen. Only saw him in his veteran years but his action and skill are the best I seen. Richard Hadlee that appears in these interviews had an awesome action also and up there with the skill level too. I still think they are the two best pace bowlers I seen in all the time I have watched Test cricket. Wasim Akram not too far behind them. 70's to the early 90's been the best time I can think to watch pace bowlers in Test cricket and most in the 90's would have learnt to try to emulate the pace and skill of Lillee, Roberts, Holding, Garner, Marshall, Hadlee and Imran Khan that set the standard any great wanted to each in the next era. Wasim Akram, Allan Donald and Curtly Ambrose still continued the trend for a few more years before spin bowlers started to become match winner themselves too. It is a pity the conditions of pitches, smaller boundaries and thicker bats make it easier for batsmen now and lessen it as a contest for most matches. Thankful I saw it before it all changed so can appreciate how great the era was when likes of Lillee, Hadlee, Holding and Imran Khan made fast bowling so exciting to watch.
The raw, masculine, strong run up and pace was a sight to behold ! I guess that bustling muscular delivery stride took its toll on even his young physique. No better sight, even after all these years since 1975 !! 😍😍👅👅 ! No wonder that Lillee and Thomson, together gave England and the West Indies nightmares ! 👌👏🏻
I grew up with Trueman and Statham the great England fast bowlers and I think it was EW Stanton on first seeing Lille said that he was “decidedly quick”.
rod marsh was well loved by cricket fans so sad australia didnt give the big send of that warnie got marsh was a legend too caught marsh bowled lillee long live thee legends
@13:15 when Andy Roberts HIMSELF says "Lillee is the greatest fast bowler we ever had"... that's enough for me. this is the guy who spearheaded the greatest West Indian attack of all time, along with Michael Holding. I trust his judgement.
He grew up in my area and I know someone who played with him at Perth Cricket Club before he obviously played before W.A and then Australia.
Apparently Dennis has a brother that was even faster than Dennis. But he chose a career in the military over Cricket.
I doubt anyone in history knows more about fast Bowling, not only one of the greatest fast bowlers in history, but with little doubt the greatest fast bowling coach of all time. Mitchell Johnson went to him when he was struggling and the first thing DK asked him, how much running are you doing?
Has Terry Alderman taken up magic? 22:19
He sure must have been magical to Gooch, Alderman could get him lbw at will.
If he hadn't lost those years through injury and world series cricket, he would've had a wicket count comparable to Warne
Yep- if you survived Thommo, then you had Lillee.
Ashes to Ashes,
Dust to Dust.
If Lillee don't get ya,
Thommo must.
I was in my 20s when Thommo and DKL were at their best.
I have two unrelated points:
When I was a little boy my dad and I were late entering the MCG for a test match. Dennis was suspended from that match due to the incident with Javed Miandad. As we walked up to the ground I noticed Dennis walking behind us. Dad and I said hello as did Dennis. I have not forgotten.
It is well past time that the statistics from World Series Cricket are included in overall career statistics. The best were playing the best. The standard was higher than the sanctioned matches. The hierarchy from the time have now passed away. The scars have faded.
Flying Lillie 🫡😊
The strongest Australian team could be beaten by the West Indies team of late 70s and early 80s. Great Don Bradman had testified their strength. Australian teams and pace bowlers., including Dennis Lilee, Jeff Thomson, Glen Magrath, Mitchel Johnson, failed miserably in Asia., while the West Indians had their strength everywhere
So this is the base of the Australian fast bowler meme!
Aah. That was good.
Where is Sir Ian
His first test match was 3rd test v Aust in England 1977
Just a pity he never had the opportunity to play against South Africa
Maybe the best ever.
I often wonderd if batters would have been a bit better with todays protective gear.
Butbthen he was still getting wickets once helmets, better pads, outer and inner thigh pads, better gloves and definitely better boxes.
I hope young people are watching.
Ya gotta work hard.
Dennis should have played for another 2 years.
From The Quicks, by Robert Drane (2022)
"The Great. First fasty picked in most all-time sides. Fulminating, avenging, taciturn, he bowled like a man with an empire to protect. Moments of humour were rare. Off-field, he was diffident, deferential, a listener. The creator, Dennis Keith Lillee, and the creation, The Magnificent D.K., weren’t always like-minded. The creator remained reliably himself. The creation assumed an imperious, turbulent, grand life of his own, ever a work in progress.
The Magnificent D.K. rumbled down upon the cricket world and, with the leap of a gazelle, sprang out of the West, where, like his future cohort Thomson across the country, he must have arrested the development of many a youngster, who’d melt away before his long, bullocking approach and the iron ferocity of his stare. The sun seemed trapped in the dark tresses of his hair.
His method was Lindwall’s, Hall’s: dramatic charge, elegant explosion. Impressive imposition. His art seemed so easy by the time we got to see him, he must have tamed its adamantine block early in life.
He treated batsman as intruders, relenting a little only when he twigged he wasn’t alone in thriving on antagonism. Even then, though, he couldn’t entirely help himself.
Words weren’t needed really. He had wits, and that run-up alone taxed a man’s resolve - at first because the result would be dangerous speed, and then, as he matured, because of the sheer mystery of his iniquity. To a batsman, it was like watching an abstract entity called ‘looming intent’ take on shape, then flesh, and crash through - pitiless, deceptive, snarling, enveloping, infernal."
You can't guess what next he's going to come from
Fucking look at his run up
Perhaps Lillee and Tommo , were the best Duo ,I loved them , gods , both , but nothing compared to Roberts , Holding , Marshall , Ambrose, Garner , Walsh , the first 4/5 all genuine 100 mph bowlers , all in the same side , That is why I rate Steve Waugh the most courageous BATSMAN to ever face a ball , gutsy prick , rather not put his bat near the unplayable ball ,which was constant , and get a medal on the body , but protect and keep his wicket , he'd grind them down , wow , his courage was inspiring, Border was the only other in the "wear em , with pride ", category, no helmets , they breed bad habits , take eye off ball , turn head duck into ball , but no helmet , no turn head , no turn head , keep eyes on ball , keep eyes on ball and move inside the line of trajectory of ball , duck inside the line , cricket ain't cricket any more , I said it the WSC ,ONE DAYERS , CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS , youve just invented BASEBALL, Drop in pitches , slogging , oh well
Lillee formed a new ball partnership with Jeff Thomson which is recognised as one of the greatest bowling pairs of all time. I am surprised you even spoke his name ... Lillie was good yes but Thomo was better .
Dennis Lillee dropped in on me riding his surf ski at a surf break in the southwest of WA. I was on the inside paddling my surfboard and he dug his paddle into my leg as he hassled me for the wave. I was a kid and I let rip at him about his lack of skill and surf knowledge after cutting the back of my leg. Dennis circled me on his ski and said aggressively…..”DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM”…… 😂🤣😂🤣 Stick to cricket KOOK!
I can sense Lille had only one advantage or it might be his vision to always bowl right those outswingers comes out when your trying to bowl good
Just refer Dennis Lilee's and Jeff Thomson's body language., which is available via numerous videos, from 1978 - till their retirement, they were behaving like shy brides, when playing against the West indians. They were treated very sweetly by some west indians of those era. Plenty of videos are there, by the West indians, who had suffered in that series, who had alleging Australian ugly behavior. West Indies, had the best cricket team, even before Sylvester Clarke and Collin Croft., they had defeated England in England 3 - 1., but before the next meeting with the Australians, they brought these two gentlemen, to treat ugly Australian sledgers. Everybody knows, what Sylvester Clarke had done, for a passive comment, by a Pakistani spectator. When he come to know about the ill deeds of the Australians, inflicted unceremoniously, on the West Indians., then it should have been really painful for the Australian sledgers and Abusers. The result was clearly evident on that 1981 series,staged in Australia. Absolutely submissive body language by Dennis Lilee&co, before the West Indians. Both Sylvester Clarke and Collin Croft were faster., they were taller, stronger and extremely ferocious. Lilee scolded and abused shorter people like Javed Miandad and Sunil Gavasker., leaving out Imran and kapil Dev., this speaks volumes about his mental strength, and what a coward he was in his playing days
indo euro was called amrica
after africa
Lillee vs Marshall debate.Marshall may have performed better in the sub continent but Lillee bowled against a better English team and a far superior West Indies team to what Marshall had against Australia and England in the 80's.
England batting in the mid-70s wasn’t better than the 80s. Fletcher, Denness and 42 year old Cowdrey made a weak middle order. But fair point about the Windies sides he played.
Lilee is the greatest fast bowler of all time, slight ahead from Melcom Marshal.
If there is rebirth then I want to take rebirth as imran Khan or Denis Lillee
Jeff Thomson may not be the quickest. He struggled on slow pitches right through his career. And once, the West indians took over., he got the lesson of his life, for sledging and abusing the opposition. Jeff Thomson was the most expensive bowler of his generation, with an economy of 4.56 runs per over., even tail enders used to to tonk him for big sixes
Lol. Richard Hadlee's mantra - Line... Length... Lillee...
The 3 Ls of fast bowling
The reason this era of the Cricket being considered as THE TOUGHEST
is due to such Hostile and Exceptional Fast Bowling !!!
To be faced without any protective gears......
From 70's to 90's
And till 2003....
Cricket was not easy-going T20....
Dennis Lillee was cricket's greatest what?
c Marsh b Lillee
1976 series between Australia and West lndies, was staged with the most disgraceful and shameful incidents in cricket history, well above the body line series., Plenty of racial abuse and sledging were involved, along with body line from Australian gentlemen, at the helm of affairs, ably supported by a team of sledgers, including Dennis Lilee and Jeff Thomson.West Indies lost that series, very badly, just because of this continued torture. clive Lloyd, himself described it as bruised and battered. But he comeback strongly with gutsy People like Sylvester Clarke and Collin Croft., they were extremely quick bowlers too. Jeff Thomson tried to repeat his 1976 Show by aggression, during the 1978 series, happened in West Indies. This time tamed him up wasting no time. The poor fellow got the necessary lessons, and was reformed. History says., Dennis Lilee and co along with these two leaders were extremely obedient and well mannered, when playing against the West Indies, although they were often arrogant against others. It is wonderful too see, a scared Dennis Lilee and Jeff Thomson, when playing against West Indies
Sylvester Clarke and collin Croft., perfect antidotes for these ugly Australian sledgers, invented by the greatest captain in cricket history, clive Lloyd.If these gentlemen had played, in this series.,the result would have been reversed. You may have to visit Dennis Lilee, Jeff Thomson,in mortuary. Everybody knows how Sylvester Clarke take ting, particularly, after that incident in Pakistan. He was the fastest bowler of his time, and he proved it in the slow pitches of India and Pakistan. Jeff Thomson alway struggled in slow pitches. Even in 1975, when he was at his fastest, he struggled miserably in England. He always failed against Pakistan., both at home and in Pakistan. Dennis Lilee and all other Australian bowlers, generally struggled in Asia, while West indians thrived and conquered, everywhere.
Dennis Lillee makes Brett Lee look like an amateur
Robin Uthappa would have murdered Deniss Lilee. Robin Uthappa would have butchered Deniss Lilee.
In yer face attitude
Lillee was abnormal
fine bowler for sure but greatest? How can u say that when he never bowled in the Indian subcontinent. Once I heard an argument that if a batsman needs to great he needs to score in fast bouncy wickets in Australia, SA... Well same logic applies to a fast bowler in my book, they need to prove themselves in the dead pitches in the subcontinent. Sorry, neither Lillee nor Tomo proved themselves here.
Lillie only got wickets in Aus. Eng and maybe NZ nowhere else.
No where near it Lillee cashed in on Thomsons speed
You fucking idiot. Lillee was great before, during and after Thommo.
Andy Roberts whom was a great West Indies pace bowler summed it up well. Probably the best fast bowler we ever seen. Only saw him in his veteran years but his action and skill are the best I seen. Richard Hadlee that appears in these interviews had an awesome action also and up there with the skill level too. I still think they are the two best pace bowlers I seen in all the time I have watched Test cricket. Wasim Akram not too far behind them. 1970's to the early 90's been the best time I can think to watch pace bowlers in Test cricket and most in the 90's would have learnt to try to emulate the pace and skill of Lillee, Roberts, Holding, Garner, Marshall, Hadlee and Imran Khan that set the standard any great wanted to reach in the next era. Wasim Akram, Allan Donald and Curtly Ambrose still continued the trend for a few more years before spin bowlers started to become match winner themselves too. It is a pity the conditions of pitches, smaller boundaries and thicker bats make it easier for batsmen now and lessen it as a contest for most matches. Thankful I saw it before it all changed so can appreciate how great the era was when likes of Lillee, Hadlee, Holding and Imran Khan made fast bowling so exciting to watch.