Spectators at the MCG witnessed history on this day 35 years ago as Australia’s Dennis Lillee took the wicket of Larry Gomes, his 310th in Test cricket, to break the world record set by Lance Gibbs in the first Test against the West Indies in the 1975/76 first Test.
He finished the innings with figures of 7-83 – the best he ever bowled in his Test career.
Lillee took another three scalps in the second innings as Australia wrapped up a 58-run victory. The feat was more remarkable, given he was out for a year in 1972 after suffering three stress fractures in his lower spine.
Lillee would go on to finish his career with 355 wickets before England’s Ian Botham set a new mark in 1986.
Other memorable events on this day
1981: Wayne Gretzky becomes the fastest NHL player to score 100 points in his 38th game.
1982: Imran Khan takes eight wickets as Pakistan beat India by an innings and 86 runs.
1999: Joe Sakic scores his 1,000th career point with an assist against the St. Louis Blues.
2011: Jonny Wilkinson effectively ends his international career by moving to Toulon on a two-year deal.