Lillee admits taking bet

Press, 9 August 1982, Page 40

Lillee admits taking bet

NZPA Melbourne The Australian Cricket Board is not expected to act over the sensational admission by the Australian test bowler, Dennis Lillee, that he and the wicket-keeper, Rod Marsh, won sAustls,ooo after backing England to win the third test, at Leeds last year. An ACB spokesman, David Richards, said yesterday he did not believe the board would take any action over, the admission: Mr Richards said he had no doubt that although Lillee and Marsh had placed a bet it had no bearing on their attitude to win the test: “It is the fundamental goal for any Australian picked to represent his country in cricket to play at his best,” he said. "The bet was just one of those things. Betting on cricket matches is legal in England.”

Mr Richards said that Lillee and Marsh had personal pride in their performance and the bet would ha<e not changed their attitude.

Lillee’s admisson comes in his book — "My Life in Cricket” — released on Saturday.

In the book he said he won about $lO,OOO and Marsh $5OOO at odds of 500-1.

The pair denied the story after England snatched victory in the third test from an almost impossible position. England’s lan Botham made . 149 not out and the fast bowler, Bob Willis, captured eight wickets to completely swing the tide of the test. .

Australia had appeared certain to win and take a 2-0 Ashes lead'. .•. Some former Australian players and officials have strongly criticised Lillee and Marsh’s actions.

“Why tell lies in the first place?” asked a former Australian captain and test selector, Neil Harvey. “It’s a stupid nonsensical , thing to do. It’s the bottom of the barrel. We must stop these fellows,” he said. , The oldest living Australian test cricketer, Hunter Hendry, aged 87, said yesterday he would “run them out for all time.” "Their behaviour is outrageous. They’ve spoilt the game,” he said. “If you’re a racing steward, you’d have to put them out.” An international batsman of the “bodyline” era, Keith Rigg, said he was horrified by the betting admissions: “Something severe must be done,” he said. “No penalty would be too severe. I’d ban them. If it is condoned, anything could happen." The former West Indian captain, Sir Garfield Sobers, said that Lillee was an honest person in revealing he! had made the bet. He said; that betting tents in England, allowed easy access to any-1 body who wanted to have a punt on the cricket. I