I don't miss cricket at all - Dennis Lillee

Dennis Lillee, for so long the attacking spearhead of the Australian cricket team has settled easily into retirement from the game to which he gave so much. These questions were put to Australia's greatest ever fast bowler about his (career and cricket as it is today. (April 20th 1985)

Dennis Lillee made his name in cricket all round the world, Sri Lanka too was fortunate in getting the former Australian great pace bowler to coach here. Here’s Lillee at a practice session when he was in Sri Lanka.

a) so far I haven't missed being away from cricket at all, I must say however, that I do miss the comradeship of a team sport. Least of all among the things I miss is the routine of keeping at a physical and mental peak.

I was conscious of that debt more and more as my cricket advanced and now Iam conscious that I must repay it. I am certainly taking daily steps in that regard.

Q: Cricket set you up financially, but from what feels will you be doing your income from now until pension day?

A: Cricket's exposure through advertisements has certainly given me a lot. However, Iam by no means set up financially to the degree of set-sufficiency. As to the future fields of income, I really don't know the answer to that as yet.

Q: What attributes must a fast bowler have for success? What was your greatest asset?

A: Firstly, a great love for fast bowling, allied to toughness of character. You must also be a fine turned athlete, have still and determination and a never-say-die attitude. I consider my greatest asset was that I was never prepared to admit defeat right up to the last ball.

Q: What gave you the greater satisfaction during your career - the mateship the fame and public adulation, or the personal achievements?

A: The mateship above all else-yes, definites the matership.

Q: What kept you going to overcome serious injury and after you had achieved everything the game can offer.

A: A great love for cricket.

Q: After a number of controversial incidents during your career, do you think you will be remembered as something of a 'bad boy' rather than a pure sporting legend in the Bradman mould?

A: If I am remembered as someone who gave 10 percent at all times, I don't care what else I am entitled for?

Q: During your career there were a number of batsmen that appeared so totally under your spell that they were regarded as your "barrier". Did you enjoy their conspary, or was it just part of your job as a fast bowler?

A: Getting as many wickets as possible for my team was all that entered my mind.

Q: When and where did you make your Test debut and how did you perform in his first Test match?

A: I made my Test debut in the sixth Test of the Australia vs England series in 1970-71. My figures in the two innings were: 28.3-0-84-5; and 7-0-40-0.

Retired but didn't fade away

Though he retired from cricket, he did not fade away. He stamped his name in the annals of Australian cricket by capturing 355 wickets in 70 Tests, a feat not reached by any other Australian bowler until Shane Warne did so a few years back. Lillee took 5 wickets in an innings 23 times and 19 wickets in a match seven times.

After having made his debut in the sixth Test against England at Adelaide in the 1970-71 series. He was one of Australia's greatest fast bowlers and was inducted into ICC cricket Hall of fame. (Hall of fame, is run in association with the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) recognises some of the truly great players from cricket's long and illustrious history.

He was the best of Australia's attack for more than a decade, having made his debut in January 1971 against England in Adelaide where he made his mark by taking 5 for 124. He was an enigma for England as he took 167 wickets at an average of 21.00 in the Ashes. Lillee was picked Cricketer of the Year in 1973.

A.C.de S