The Great Game Called Cricket...

Bob WillisBob Willis

England

Player profile

Full name Robert George Dylan Willis
Born May 30, 1949, Sunderland, Co Durham
Current age 59 years 355 days
Major teams England, Northern Transvaal, Surrey, Warwickshire
Also known as birth registered as Robert George Willis
Nickname Goose, Dylan, Harold, Swordfish
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm fast
Other Commentator
Height 6 ft 6 in
Education Royal Grammar School, Guildford

Batting and fielding averages Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 90 128 55 840 28* 11.50 2564 32.76 0 0 79 1 39 0
ODIs 64 22 14 83 24 10.37 157 52.86 0 0 6 0 22 0
First-class 308 333 145 2690 72 14.30 0 2 134 0
List A 293 113 48 615 52* 9.46 0 1 84 0

Bowling averages Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10
Tests 90 165 17357 8190 325 8/43 9/92 25.20 2.83 53.4 12 16 0
ODIs 64 64 3595 1968 80 4/11 4/11 24.60 3.28 44.9 4 0 0
First-class 308 47986 22468 899 8/32 24.99 2.80 53.3 34 2
List A 293 14983 8497 421 7/32 7/32 20.18 3.40 35.5 14 4 0

Career statistics Test debut Australia v England at Sydney, Jan 9-14, 1971 scorecard
Last Test England v West Indies at Leeds, Jul 12-16, 1984 scorecard
Test statistics
ODI debut England v West Indies at Leeds, Sep 5, 1973 scorecard
Last ODI England v West Indies at Lord's, Jun 4, 1984 scorecard
ODI statistics
First-class span 1969 - 1984
List A span 1969 - 1984

Profile

A case could be made that Bob Willis was the most courageous fast bowler who ever played for England. After operations on both knees in 1975, when he was 26, he seldom bowled without pain, and at one stage had to run five miles a day to build the strength to play at all. Yet through sheer willpower he sustained his career for nine more years, and emerged with 325 wickets from his 90 Tests. Fitting as it was the last game of any consequence he played should have been for England, it was cruel that the 1984 West Indian assault that proved his time had come took place at Headingley, scene of the his greatest triumph, the famous 8 for 43 that beat Australia in the Botham Test three years before.

Willis, a bony 6ft 6ins with sharp knees and elbows and a cascade of curly brownish-auburn hair, was a rarity among international sportsmen: no athlete in the accepted sense, his only aptitude was bowling, and that mainly through aggression and determination. But Frank Tyson was England's only postwar bowler who was clearly faster; and none, not even Fred Trueman, was a more intimidating sight than Willis as he charged dead straight down his 30-yard approach.

On retirement he moved into the media, and for many years formed a strong partnership with Ian Botham for Sky Sports, and although his laconic style did not suit all, a sharp and humourous individual hid just under the surface. He found himself sidelined from front-line commentary duties in 2006, but he remained part of the team.

Notes

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1978