On this day in 1975: First five-wicket haul in ODI cricket

The first ever ODI game was played between Australia and England on January 5, 1971, at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia won the game by five wickets and etched their name in history by becoming the first team to win an ODI. Four years later, another Australian entered the ODI record books as Dennis Lillee became the first bowler to pick a five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. The right-arm seamer achieved the feat during Match 3 of the ODI World Cup 1975 on June 7 at Leeds.

After Australia won the toss and opted to bat first, the Ian Chappel-led side posted a good total of 278/7 in their allotted 60 overs with contributions from Ross Edwards (80 off 94), Greg Chappel (45 off 56) and Alan Turner (46 off 54). In reply, Pakistan were cruising at 181/4 when Lillee dismissed the well-set Asif Iqbal (53 off 95) to end a 77-run stand between Iqbal and Wasim Raja (31 off 57).

His wicket sparked a collapse as the seamer further dismissed Sarfraz Nawaz, Wasim Bari, Asif Masood to complete the first-ever five-wicket haul in ODI and World Cup history. As a result, Pakistan were bundled out for 205 and Australia won the match by 73 runs. Lillee was deservedly awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning figures of 5/34 in 12 overs.

Australia went on to play the final of the World Cup, however, they ended up losing against the West Indies who became the first-ever world champions of the cricket world. Lillee finished as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament for Australia having scalped 8 wickets from five innings at an average of 27.87 and an economy of 4.20.

In his 63-match-long ODI career, the fast bowler picked up 103 wickets at an average of 20.82 and an economy of 3.58 with one five-wicket haul to his name.