Fearsome Lillee/Thommo
- Thread starter BGman
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It was easy for us Aussies to sit back at the time and accuse the Poms of shitting themselves but this was genuinely frightening bowling. You only have to look at the reaction of Marsh in those highlights - I reckon he was honestly concerned for the safety of some of those batsmen.
Keith Fletchers reputation got trashed as a result of that series but have to admire Dennis Amiss and John Edrich - they never took a backward step. Look at Amiss trying to play Thompson on a green-top at the Gabba in fading light. Still keeps trying to come forward but literally cannot see the ball at times.
Keith Fletchers reputation got trashed as a result of that series but have to admire Dennis Amiss and John Edrich - they never took a backward step. Look at Amiss trying to play Thompson on a green-top at the Gabba in fading light. Still keeps trying to come forward but literally cannot see the ball at times.
- Jun 20, 2018
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Two other blokes that stood tall in the series were the ageless Colin Cowdrey.. pulled from near retirement to face the firey Aussie duo and David 'Bumble' Lloyd.. long time Lancashire batsman and later a commentator.
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- Jun 20, 2018
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"Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust, if Thomson don't get ya, Lillee must..." Didn't Thommo say that most of the time he had little idea where the ball was going. Well all I can say is, if the bowler has no clue what hope does the batsman have.
Plugger35
The umpires are always right!
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Hoggy was faster than both of them, just ask him.
...although it must said that Bumbles 'old-fella' didn't stand that tall after Thommo hit him in the 'nads !!
Gough
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- Sep 29, 2006
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Nice piece on Cowdrey playing in that series.
Call in Colin
At 41, Cowdrey gamely took on Lillee and Thomson, because how could he not?
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sherb
Hall of Famer
Great series, I was a cricket mad teenager and it was compulsive viewing.
There's no "p" in Thomson by the way.
There's no "p" in Thomson by the way.
The hands of stone
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One of my teamates in England father played in that series.
They played Thomson in a warmup game and thought he was nothing to worry about it.
They were actually suprised he got picked in the first test.
Said Thomson was easily quicker than anyone else. He said a lot of their batsman never really recovered from that series it was such a barrage .
They played Thomson in a warmup game and thought he was nothing to worry about it.
They were actually suprised he got picked in the first test.
Said Thomson was easily quicker than anyone else. He said a lot of their batsman never really recovered from that series it was such a barrage .
Oh to be able to see another quick flying in.hair flowing ,arms pumping, feel pounding.
What do we see now days.Robots.Almost all look alike.Stand at a mark painted on the ground with initials. wait until some one winds them up witht he key atached tot heir back.Stand, take ball in hand.Make sure the left foot leads.Arms pinned to side. Straight back.
The game is not dead, but devoid of any real interesting characters like DK and Thommo.
What do we see now days.Robots.Almost all look alike.Stand at a mark painted on the ground with initials. wait until some one winds them up witht he key atached tot heir back.Stand, take ball in hand.Make sure the left foot leads.Arms pinned to side. Straight back.
The game is not dead, but devoid of any real interesting characters like DK and Thommo.
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I wouldn't forget Doug Walters and Max Walker as characters either.
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Clive Lloyd was very impressed with Thomson and Lillee. After a disastrous tour of Australia in 1975/76 where the West Indies were slaughtered 5-1, Lloyd decided to fight fire with fire and from then on started playing with four fast bowlers. The Indians were the first to feel their wrath in a series in the Caribbean then the Poms were slaughtered 3-0 at home. The West Indian team was unbeatable for the next 15+ years.
