Bears praise grit of captain Willis after death at 70
Bob was premier fast bowler of his generation
WARWICKSHIRE County Cricket Club has paid tribute to one of its greatest players, Bob Willis, highlighting his courage and tenacity in overcoming potentially career-ending injuries.
Willis, who joined Warwickshire from Surrey in 1972, died last Wednesday (December 4), aged 70. He featured in 90 Tests for England and captained his country in 18 Tests and 29 one day internationals.
Warwickshire acknowledged that the fast bowler endured, at times, a rocky relationship with some sections of the Edgbaston crowd.
But when Willis retired, only Australia’s Dennis Lillee had taken more Test wickets. He captained Warwickshire from 1980 to 1984, took 353 first class wickets for the county and led them to the 1980 John Player Sunday League title.
Willis received the MBE in 1982 and, in retirement, became a commentator for the BBC and Sky.
In a statement, Warwickshire CCC stated: “Plagued by injury trouble throughout his career, Willis underwent surgery on both knees in 1975 and it was testament to his strength of character, as well as bowling skills, that he then went on to become England’s premier fast bowler of his generation.
“The mop-hair, the long run-up and the unique action was mimicked by schoolboys in playgrounds and cricket clubs across the country, most of all in 1981 when his Test-best performance of eight for 43 powered England to one of their most famous Ashes victories, by 18 runs at Headingley in 1981.”
The club added: “Willis made no secret of his difficulty in lifting himself for the grind of county cricket and at times had a difficult relationship with some fans.
“But he retained great affection for the club and, earlier this year, when asked if he still felt an affinity for Warwickshire, he answered: ‘Very much so. I had the honour of being made an honorary life-member and I always get a very warm welcome when I go to Edgbaston.
“It doesn’t matter if the chairman or the chief executive has changed and if ever I am introduced to the crowd, I get a very warm reception. I love going back to the ground.’”
Willis’s family said: “We are heartbroken to lose our beloved Bob, who was an incredible husband, father, brother and grandfather. He made a huge impact on everybody he knew and we will miss him terribly.”
Willis was born in Sunderland in 1949 and grew up in the Surrey village of Stoke d’Abernon near Cobham. He began his professional career in 1969 for Surrey.
He married his first wife, Juliet Smail in 1980 and they had a daughter in 1984. He married his second wife, Lauren Clark, in 2005.
He died following a long illness and the news prompted a flood of tributes from the sports world.
Nasser Hussain, former England captain, tweeted: “Great cricketer... even better bloke.”
Former Southampton and England footballer Matt Le Tissier posted: “RIP Bob Willis. Never imagined when I was growing up watching him destroy the Aussies in 1981 that many years later he’d teach me how to play bridge in a Spanish golf clubhouse after torrential rain had cancelled our round! Absolute gent and thoughts with his family.”
Gary Lineker said: “One of our greatest fast bowlers. Met him on many occasions and he was always great company with a sense of humour that was as sharp as his bowling.”