WILL POWER ON THE SILVER SCREEN

FORTY summers ago, England was a nation of cricket lovers.

On the bus, radios were glued to ears, people would peer through shop windows for a glimpse of a TV set and every schoolboy wanted to be ‘Beefy’ or ‘Goose’.

Ian Botham and Bob Willis (left) were the heroes of the third Test at Headingley, and the match is remembered on September 8 with a

screening of the ‘From The Ashes’ documentary at the Olympic Cinema in Barnes. Willis was a founder member of the cinema and would visit regularly with his wife Lauren Clark until his death in 2019, aged 70.

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.” Set 130 to win, Australia were on course until Mike

Brearley switched Willis to the Kirkstall Lane End where he could run downhill.

Lauren added: “Bob was walking the plank. He knew if he didn’t take wickets he might not play for England again. He was motivated to save his career.”

Favourites

Willis produced an unplayable 11-ball spell that brought him three wickets and reduced the Aussies to 58-4.

That became 75-8 and, from 500/1 no hopers, England were favourites. Lauren revealed: “Bob was very proud of that match and people would ask him about it all the time. He would prefer to talk about Bob Dylan and if people asked him, ‘Aren’t you Bob Willis?’ he would say, ‘I used to be’.

“He didn’t seek out attention. I don’t think Bob knew how well-loved he was.”

Ian Botham, David Gower, Graham Gooch and Paul Allott will be there for a question-and-answer session. Tickets from www.olympiccinema.co.uk and mhelliet@mayfairsportingclub.com.