Bob Willis RIP

[sendô]

I'm absolutely shocked by this. There was no hint that he was even ill. His family have requested donations to Prostate Cancer UK in lieu of flowers, which is perhaps a hint into what killed him.

It is perhaps somewhat unfair that 1981 was known as "Botham's Ashes", given how instrumental Willis was with that famous 8-43 at Headingly. As someone who wasn't around back then, I know Willis best for his punditry on The Debate, and especially his dry, droll and scathing style. I've always found his comments succinct and insightful, and he always seemed to call the issues correctly.

Vicky Gomersall was in tears reading the news of his death - a mark of how popular he seemed to be with his colleagues.

https://videos.marca.com/v/0_7q517an8-v ... os&count=0

[Toulouse_Iron]

R.I.P. Mr Willis.

Again, my mind goes back to that ashes series and that 8-43. Having watched highlights from it recently, the look in his eyes in that spell never left any room for doubt: he was going to bowl them out. The much-used phrase "Steely resolve" could be illustrated with that look.... Those 8 wickets went down as much by willpower as anything else!

By all accounts, universally respected and liked: a proper gentleman and a real legend.

[Clacton-ammer]

Was proper shocked & saddened when I heard the news last night.

Echo what everyone has said about him. One of my favourite bits about Bob was the 45/60 min cricket show he did in the summer on SKY.

He was so entertaining and when he got the hump he really went into old man mode and was really cutting, just made ma laugh.

RIP great man.

[sendô]

He was so entertaining and when he got the hump he really went into old man mode and was really cutting, just made ma laugh.

It's funny, his voice was quite slow and monotonous at times, and like you say he'd go into proper grumpy old man mode when we were playing crap, and yet it was always interesting to listen to what he had to say, and entertaining in it's own way. The Debate will never be the same without him.

[Clacton-ammer]

That's it "The Debate", quality show, but Bob will be hugely missed as for me he was "The Debate".

[Whitters]

I've very fond childhood memories of summers spent playing cricket in the park, and trying to imitate Bob's trademark cocked-wrist enormous run up. For those moments we were Bob Willis (until our resulting fast delivery went 5 yards wide of the stumps)

[westham,eggyandchips]

Vicky Gomersall was in tears reading the news of his death - a mark of how popular he seemed to be with his colleagues.

https://videos.marca.com/v/0_7q517an8-v ... os&count=0

That done me.

[OFT]

There's a really good tribute from TMS on BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07wy8jl

[NT Hammer]

A mate did the MCG tour in Melbourne yesterday & said they did a really nice touch a display of Bob Willis memorabilia at the entrance of the tour

[Eggchaser]

Shocking and very sad news.

Like others I can remember watching the Ashes in 81.

Always enjoyed his punditry on Sky too.

RIP.

[Tenbury]

Couldn't even comment yesterday.
I guess the heroes of your youth pass away and it highlights your own mortality, but this guy,for me was more than just a great cricketer, he was a brilliant bloke.
He loved cricket, red wine and Wagner......How f*ckin cool is that? R.I.P. Bob.

[LincolnshireHammer]

Well Charles....!

Certainly have lost a legend in Bob. He was fantastic in the verdict, no nonsense type which is sadly lacking with modern pundits.

Greatly missed! Go easy.

[pablo jaye]

I've very fond childhood memories of summers spent playing cricket in the park, and trying to imitate Bob's trademark cocked-wrist enormous run up. For those moments we were Bob Willis (until our resulting fast delivery went 5 yards wide of the stumps)

We used to do the same - and would see how long we could make our run ups, which would also follow the most ridiculous arc in homage to Bob. RIP Mr 8-43

[the pink palermo]

Very sad news indeed, a superb fast bowler who gave his all for England and who remains our 4th highest taker of test wickets.

The peak was his 8-43 against Australia a bit of bowling i've only seen bettered by one Englishman, that being Devon Malcoms 9-57 against South Africa.

A bone fide legend of English cricket.

R.I.P.

[Puff Daddy]

Very sad news indeed, a superb fast bowler who gave his all for England and who remains our 4th highest taker of test wickets.

The peak was his 8-43 against Australia a bit of bowling i've only seen bettered by one Englishman, that being Devon Malcoms 9-57 against South Africa.

A bone fide legend of English cricket.

R.I.P.

Ah yes ! Devon Malcolm. Wasn't he the bloke with no neck?

[pablo jaye]

Gladstone Small was he of no neck ... he would have been called Gladstone Tall otherwise.

[sosc67]

One of my best memories of Bob Willis when he was in Newcastle(oz) he gave a coaching clinic to us young aspiring fast bowlers was there 3 hours giving up his time answering every question thrown out him. Was a Gentlemen of the highest order.