Lillee poised to become highest test wicket-taker

Press, 11 December 1981, Page 28

Lillee poised to become highest test wicket-taker

NZPA Melbourne People attending the Melbourne Cricket Ground today for the third and final test match between Australia and Pakistan may not be as interested as usual in a home-side victory.

For most of the interest will be to see Dennis Lillee become the highest wickettaker in test matches.

The great fast bowler needs only five wickets to break the world record of 309 currently held by the former West Indian offspinner, Lance Gibbs. Lillee has already captured 15 wickets in two tests against Pakistan this summer and with his brilliant striking rate he should have no trouble in collecting the wickets he needs.

He will certainly have plenty of encouragement from the M.C.G. crowd — especially from the infamous “Bay 13” area from which, undoubtedly, will come the famous cry of “Lillee, Lillee, Lillee.”

In recent interviews, Lillee himself has appeared anxious about today’s game.

He could not comment officially yesterday because of an exclusive contract he has signed with a Sydney newspaper, but on a television interview oh Wednesday night said he was looking forward to the match.

He said during the interview that he had had mixed success on the M.C.G. ground.

Lillee said there had been some times when he had taken a “bag full of wickets” at the M.C.G. but other times found victims to be extremely scarce.

He said he had always been given great support from the M.C.G. crowd and it seemed fitting that he might break the record there. The rest of the Australian team will be concentrating on handing Pakistan its third test defeat to make a clean sweep of the series. With an unbeatable 2-0 lead, Australia has indicated it plans to whitewash the tourists this week-end.

The Australians trained yesterday morning in a lighthearted mood and were well supported by onlookers including the Victorian Football League personality, Ron Barrassi, and Victoria’s cricket captain, John Scholes. The team appeared to have no injury problems as it went through its final paces. The captain, Greg Chappell, made it quite plan again yesterday that Australia wants to win this game, “and that’s all there is to it.”

Chappell has indicated that the fast bowler, Geoff Law-

son, may be. picked to play. He would probably replace his fellow' speedster, Jeff Thomson..

Thomson has been disappointing this season capturing only a handful of wickets, but the Queenslander could be considered unlucky because he has had many catches put down. Although Australia is certain to start the firm favourite it may not have everything all its own way. Pakistan’s captain, Javed Miandad, said that his team was determined to win the test: “We have only got this test to go and we have something to prove,” he said. “Everyone is fired up for this game and we are really looking forward to it.”

Miandad defended his team’s losses to Australia by saying his side was using this tour to gain experience. “A lot of our young players have not played much international cricket, especially one-day matches.” The Pakistanis appeared injury-free during practice yesterday. The only concern was with the fitness of the fast bowler, Sarfraz Nawaz, who recently had some fluid removed from a knee. Sarfraz said yesterday that he was moving freely and would be available. The twelfth men for both sides will be named this morning.