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Mint
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
'If Thomas don't get here then, Lillee must': Who are Denis Lille, Jeff Thompson mentioned by DGMO Rajiv Ghai?
Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, on Monday, during the press briefing on Operation Sindoor made a special mention of Australian greats Denis Lille and Jeff Thompson. During the briefing Ghai was explaining the Multi Layered Counter Drone and Air Defence Grid, that played a crucial role in India's response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam last month. 'The diagram which you are seeing, it reminds me of a incident from 1970s. That time Australia vs England Ashes rivalry was at its peak in cricket. During that time, Australia's Jeff Thompson and Denis Lille used to among the most lethal pacers in the world,' Ghai said. "That time a phrase came out which read, "from Ashes to Ashes and from dust to dust, if Thomas don't get there, then Lille surely must. If you see this layer, you will get to understand what I am trying to say. 'Even if you (Pakistan) have passed all the systems, then someone (airfield or logistics installation system) from this layered grid system will take you down,' added Ghai, who took up the role of DGMO of the Indian Army on October 25, 2024. Well, for anyone, who is not from cricketing background would be thinking who Lille and Thompson are, as mentioned by Ghai. Both Lille and Thompson are two of Australian greats who ruled cricket with their fiery bowling during seventies and eighties. A right-arm pacer, Lille was known for his speed and toe-crushing yorkers and was a nightmare for opposition batters. He played 70 Test matches for Australia, taking 355 wickets. Little was later inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. Like Little, Thompson was too a right-arm pacer and was known for his exceptional speed and ability to deliver extremely fast bouncers. In fact, Thompson's delivery at 160.6 km/h against the West Indies in 1975, was the fastest at that time. The New South Wales-born pacer played 51 Test matches for Australia, finishing 200 wickets. Thompson was also the part of the Australian team that reached the final of inaugural 1975 Cricket World Cup. Ghai was referring to the 1974-75 Ashes series which Australia won 4-1 in the six-Test series. Thompson and Lille finished the series with 33 and 25 wickets respectively, thus occupying the top two spots in the list of most wickets in the series. In fact, Thompson took two five-wicket hauls during that series.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy great reveals the shattering reason he used to pray that his team would LOSE their matches
St Kilda great Justin Koschitzke has revealed the shattering effects of how multiple concussion injuries and battling with his mental health led him to secretly hope that his team would often lose matches. The 42-year-old enjoyed a glittering career in the AFL, joining the Saints alongside his good friend Nick Riewoldt as a pick one and two swoop in the 2000 National Draft. The New South Wales-born forward, who would also play as a ruckman for the Victorian outfit, would go on to boot 247 goals across 200 appearances or the footy club before hanging up his boots in 2013. Koschitzke has been open on his struggles with concussion and mental health following his retirement, having stated back in 2022 to 3AW that he doesn't remember multiple AFL games that he played in. This week, the 42-year-old has again been reflecting on his career and revealed to Hamish McLachlan on Channel 7's Unfiltered, that there were some occasions where he hoped his side would lose games. 'It was here at the MCG, it was an elimination final that year against Melbourne,' he said to the legendary broadcaster, during an episode of the show which is set to air on Wednesday. The 42-year-old (right) enjoyed a glittering career in the AFL , joining the Saints alongside his good friend Nick Riewoldt (left) as a pick one and two swoop in the 2000 National Draft 'Melbourne got three or four goals up in the third quarter or late in the fourth. 'Internally, I was the happiest person in this stadium, or anywhere in Australia, that Melbourne were going to win and I didn't have to play the next week. 'Twenty years ago, that's the first time I've publicly said that. It became the worst two hours of the week. 'Then the shame you carry with that. I've got the best job in the world and you try and convince yourself (you do).' After joining the Saints in 2000, Koschitzke would go on to be crowned the AFL's Rising Star in 2001, but the following season, he suffered a hamstring injury that plagued him for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. During the 2006 season, he suffered a devastating fractured skull during his side's Round Six victory against the Western Bulldogs. He was subsequently ruled out for a large chunk of the season, having struggled to retain hearing in one of his ears. Speaking on The Agenda Setters, Riewoldt also spoke on his mate's mental health issues, but added the former footy star was in a 'much better place now.' 'I'm aware of Kosi's struggles, we're still really good mates,' Riewoldt told The Agenda Setters. 'It'll be a really confronting watch for people. Kosi's in a much better place now. But in reference to that, the footy field had just become a really dangerous place for Kosi on the back of head knocks and concussions and stuff like that. 'It just shows you never quite know what's going on in the minds of some of the people you think you know really well, including some of your teammates.' Having sustained several head injuries during his career, Koschitzke opened up in 2022 about how his mental health was, several years after having retired from the sport. 'There's multiple games I can't remember finishing the game or driving home and that's just ludicrous when you think about it,' he said on 3AW's Footy Then and Now Podcast. He added: '[My] mental health goes up and down, there's memory loss, there's mood swings, there's all sorts of things. 'And I'm sure there's a lot of other players out there that feel the same. 'It's just a management thing, knowing how to work on it and navigate through a lot of stuff.' If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 24 at any time of the day, seven days a week for anonymous support and guidance.
