Willis says England quicks will do it hard

BOB Willis produced his greatest bowling in the greatest turnaround England Ashes victory of all time.

Even if he had not taken 128 wickets in 35 Tests against Australia, Big Bob’s performance at Headingley in 1981 would earn him a place in cricket folklore. His thrilling, astonishing 8-43 that clinched victory in the game’s most fabled Test match will never be forgotten.

So, when Willis warns that England’s bowlers do not have enough pace and penetration to roll over the Aussie batsmen this winter, it is worth listening.

Willis took part in four Ashes-winning series — 197071, 1977, 1978-79 and, of course, in 1981. But he knows that success Down Under is a mighty tough assignment.

He said: “In two of the last three visits, with Andrew Flintoff and Alastair Cook as captain, England have been whitewashed 5-0.

“England have not won in Brisbane, venue of the first Test, since 1986. It’s vital we come away from Brisbane with at least a draw.”

Willis’s big worry is that, if the ball behaves as normal in Australia and does not move, England’s quickies could be exposed.

“If the ball is not going to swing and seam for Broad and Anderson, then I don’t think they will be as effective as Australia,” he said. “With Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, the Aussies have a lot more pace and that could be decisive. The only worry is can they keep their fast bowlers fit?

“They have had a lot of injuries and Cummins has played only five Tests in the six years since his debut, and never in Australia.”

Indeed, England will probably have to bowl like Willis to stand a chance.