Bob Willis has passed away this week. Over 300 Test wickets. Outspoken pundit. Was working very recently on the World Cup and Ashes as a post match pundit. He captained England to a Test series win against Imran Khan’s Pakistan at home in 1982. He captained England to the World Cup semi finals in 1983 at home. He commentated in the 2009 Champions Trophy in South Africa.
At least he could finally see England win the World Cup this year on the 12th time of trying and see a Headingley Ashes Test produce drama like 1981, a Test Match he played a prominent role in with his fast bowling, before passing away in the final month of this historic year for English Cricket.
I remember him in September talking about the death of Abdul Qadir on the “Cricket Debate” and reflecting on his playing memories against him. He was Abdul Qadir’s first Test wicket. And now he himself has left our world just 3 months later.
We knew the Oval Ashes Test from the summer just gone was the last we would see of Botham and Gower on Sky. What we didn’t know was it would be the last of Bob Willis too. End of an era with 3 1980s English greats.
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