Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Willis and Beefy on big screen
FORTY summers ago, England was in bloom as a nation of cricket lovers.
Ian Botham and Bob
Willis were the heroes of the highlight – the astonishing third Test at Headingley.
The incredible 1981 defeat of Australia is to be remembered on Wednesday, September 8 with a charity screening of the ‘From The Ashes’ documentary at the Olympic Cinema in Barnes.
Willis, who died in 2019 aged 70, was a founder member of the cinema and would visit regularly with his wife, Lauren Clark.
The night will raise money for The Bob Willis Fund, set up to raise awareness for prostate cancer research.
“I’ve always thought that match was one of England’s greatest ever sporting moments,” said Lauren. “I think it would be in anybody’s top 10.”
Willis went to Headingley as a well-worn fast bowler with dodgy knees playing for his future. For Botham it was a first match since giving up the captaincy.
A blistering secondinnings 149 from Botham meant that from the brink of defeat England forced the tourists to bat again.
Set 130 to win, Australia were on course until skipper Mike Brearley switched Willis to the Kirkstall Lane End where he could run downhill with the wind.
“Bob was walking the plank,” added Lauren. “If he didn’t take wickets he might not play again.”
As it was, Willis’ unplayable 11-ball spell brought him three victims and reduced the Aussies to 58-4.
That became 75-8, then Australia dug in – only for Willis to ultimately deliver victory by flattening Ray Bright’s middle stump.
“Bob was very proud of that match,” said Lauren. “It will be special to see him on a big screen at a cinema he loved so much.”
Botham, David Gower, Graham Gooch and Paul Allott will do a Q&A.