capt_Luffy
Hall of Fame Member
That's WSC though, Lilee broke down in his only Test match there.
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Dennis Lillee vs Bill O'Reilly
- Thread starter Thala_0710
- Start date
Johan
Hall of Fame Member
To be fair, Lillee did better at home against WI and was a huge inspiration for their pacers, won't be shocked if Lillee is rated higher in West Indies.
DrWolverine
International Vice-Captain
True
Before Warne(1992), Lillee had unusually great reputation and that’s what I was saying.
Johan
Hall of Fame Member
I think until 1970, the greatest bowler of all time conversation was entirely a two man show, Sydney Francis Barnes vs Tiger O'Reilly with Barnes winning out by a small margin. Lindwall, Davidson, Trueman and Bedser all went very high but quite never reached those two.
In the 70s and 80s, I reckon Lillee and then Marshall got added to that debate, not because they were better bowlers than Lindwall or Trueman (well, Marshall was, Lillee wasn't imo) but because those who saw Barnes started dying, O'Reilly still in the conversation.
In modern times, it seems Barnes has maintained insane reverence due to statistics, O'Reilly very highly among knowledgeable circles, Marshall is regarded as the GOAT with McGrath, Warne, maybe Murali in the chat. Lillee seems to have fallen out of the race.
In the 70s and 80s, I reckon Lillee and then Marshall got added to that debate, not because they were better bowlers than Lindwall or Trueman (well, Marshall was, Lillee wasn't imo) but because those who saw Barnes started dying, O'Reilly still in the conversation.
In modern times, it seems Barnes has maintained insane reverence due to statistics, O'Reilly very highly among knowledgeable circles, Marshall is regarded as the GOAT with McGrath, Warne, maybe Murali in the chat. Lillee seems to have fallen out of the race.
If recent commentary is anything to go by, Warne is miles ahead of everyone else according to English pundits.
Johan
Hall of Fame Member
Yeah, Warne is definitely number one in England. Not a bad choice. You have any knowledge if O'Reilly vs Lillee was a debate?
Coronis
Hall of Fame Member
Sad considering Murali’s record in England
shortpitched713
Cricketer Of The Year
I need to review more O'Reilly footage, but it's pretty rare iirc.
Lillee definitely looks better, so I'll give him a placeholder vote for now.
Lillee definitely looks better, so I'll give him a placeholder vote for now.
It doesn't seem to be just about records in England. The leading English commentators travel quite a lot.
On the batting front, "the great Ricky Ponting" has been referred to on several occasions. It is clear that most of the English pundits consider him the best Australian batsman of modern times and among the best from anywhere.
I don't think anyone compared O'Reilly with Lillee. As you say, they were different types. Barnes v O'Reilly was a debate. Lillee was just considered the best fast bowler. The pensioner generation probably think he still is. As far as current media opinion is concerned, it's all about Bumrah.
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shortpitched713
Cricketer Of The Year
My level of ***ual arousal
Johan
Hall of Fame Member
So before Warne took the throne, or let's say before Warne even arrived, if a conversation was to be in Australia on the best bowler to come from Australia, what name would most pundits and experts regard as the best? regardless of slow, medium or fast.
shortpitched713
Cricketer Of The Year
Bill Johnston, obviously.
Johan
Hall of Fame Member
wasn't even in the trio with Lindwall and Miller...
In 1977 Keith Miller picked O'Reilly in his all-time Australian XI but not Lillee. Three years later Fingleton picked them both. It may be that Lillee took the lead among all bowlers around then.
