Dennis Lillee and Javed Miandad were two of cricket's most high-profile players in the 1980s. Both mixed brilliant play with an unfortunate tendency to attract controversy - and newspaper headlines. These two abrasive characters came up against each other when Pakistan toured Australia in 1981-82, with explosive consequences.
"Miandad turned Lillee behind square for a single, and in completing an easy run, he collided with the bowler. Eyewitnesses agreed that Lillee was to blame and most observed that he had deliberately moved into the batsman's path. The two players' versions of events differ ... As Lillee turned to go back to his mark he maintained that Miandad struck him from behind with his bat; Miandad countered with the claim that Lillee had kicked him as he passed. What isn't in doubt is that Lillee then turned to confront Miandad, and Miandad lifted his bat above his head as if to strike him. The unedifying images of Tony Crafter, the umpire, stepping in to hold back Lillee while Miandad wielded his bat like a deranged javelin thrower were beamed around the world."
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