Australian · Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia · Born 18 July 1949Australian fast bowler regarded as the outstanding pace bowler of his generation, who retired in 1984 as the world record holder for Test wickets.
Born on 18 July 1949 in Subiaco, Western Australia, Dennis Lillee made his first-class debut for Western Australia in 1969 and his Test debut against England in January 1971. He quickly established himself, alongside wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, in one of the most feared bowler-keeper combinations in Test history, the pair combining for 95 dismissals across all 70 of Lillee's Tests. Despite suffering severe stress fractures of the back early in his career that threatened to end it, Lillee rebuilt himself through an intensive physiotherapy programme and returned with a modified, still hostile action. He formed a fearsome fast-bowling pairing with Jeff Thomson through the mid-1970s, terrorizing opposing batting line-ups, particularly England's. Lillee missed nearly three years of Test cricket after joining Kerry Packer's breakaway World Series Cricket in 1977, but returned to surpass Richie Benaud's Australian wicket record before eventually breaking Lance Gibbs's world record of 309 Test wickets. He retired in 1984 with a world-record 355 Test wickets from just 70 matches at an average of 23.92, having also taken a wicket with his final delivery in international cricket. Lillee was named in Australia's Test Team of the Century and inducted into the Australian cricket Hall of Fame and the ICC Hall of Fame. Since retiring, he has remained deeply involved in the sport as one of the world's most respected fast-bowling coaches.
Retiring as the world record holder for Test wickets with 355 from 70 matches
How They Played
Complete fast bowler combining raw pace, swing and relentless competitiveness
Lasting Impact
Widely regarded as the greatest fast bowler in Australian cricket history
Australian Athletes