From Perth, Lilly played several matches for the state colts team from the early 1980s onwards,[1][2] but did not make his debut at senior level until the 1988–89 season, when he was aged 29.
[4] Lilly made his first-class debut against Victoria in January 1989 at the WACA Ground, taking 3/72 in the first innings and four wickets for the match.
He took two wickets in the match, but finished with an economy rate of 5.48 from his 21 overs, failing to bowl a maiden.
[7] Lilly did not play at state level again, with Western Australia's fast-bowling stocks including several Australian internationals, notably Terry Alderman, Ken MacLeay, Chris Matthews, and Bruce Reid.
[8] However, he remained active at grade cricket level, and later coached North Perth, where he was involved in the establishment of a trophy commemorating former state player Mark McPhee.