 "'Had a sense of humour as sharp as his bowling': Cricketers pay tribute to ex-England captain Bob Willis after his demise")
Former England captain Bob Willis, who bowled his country to a famous Ashes Test victory in 1981, has passed away at the age of 70 after a short illness, his family said on Wednesday. [caption id=“attachment_7741651” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Bob Willis from 1983. Former England captain and cricket pundit Willis died at the age of 70. (PA/PA Wire)[/caption] Willis, known for his long, curving run-up and inspired spells of fast bowling, played in 90 Tests and 64 one-day internationals from 1971 to 1984. “We are heartbroken to lose our beloved Bob, who was an incredible husband, father, brother and grandfather. He made a huge impact on everybody he knew and we will miss him terribly,” a family statement said. Willis, who finished with 325 Test and 899 first-class wickets despite bowling with pain from 1975 after surgery on both knees, worked as a cricket expert on Sky Sports and was known for his blunt criticism of the England team delivered in a distinctive deadpan style. Unforgettably, he took eight wickets for 43 runs to fire England to an 18-run victory in the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley in 1981 after Ian Botham’s iconic innings had dragged the hosts back into a game they looked certain to lose. “The ECB is deeply saddened to say farewell to Bob Willis, a legend of English cricket,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement, adding cricket had lost “a dear friend”. “He will always be remembered for his outstanding cricket career… In later years as a broadcaster Bob was a perceptive and respected voice at the microphone.”
Incredibly sad to hear the news about Bob Willis. He was a true great, generous in sharing his knowledge about the game and a lovely man. RIP Bob x pic.twitter.com/HYJbLlQJRZ
— James Anderson (@jimmy9) December 4, 2019
Such a sad time for cricket fans all around the world. Rest In Peace Bob.
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) December 4, 2019
You shall be remembered forever for what you have done on the pitch! #BobWillis pic.twitter.com/kpv5BsCyyL
Saddened to hear that Bob Willis has died. One of our greatest fast bowlers. Met him on many occasions and he was always great company with a sense of humour that was as sharp as his bowling. #RIPBob
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 4, 2019
Gutted to hear the news of Bob Willis passing. A lovely person with a great humour who was so proud of England cricket. Legend. 🏴🏏 pic.twitter.com/g4AQcnRK4n
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) December 4, 2019
Awful to hear the passing of Bob Willis. I was lucky to work along side him not long ago with @SkyCricket!Brilliant cricketer, very knowledgeable and a lovely guy. #rip
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) December 4, 2019
RIP Bob Willis 😢never imagined when I was growing up watching him destroy the Aussies in 1981 that many years later he’d teach me how to play bridge in a Spanish golf clubhouse after torrential rain had cancelled our round! Absolute gent and thoughts with his family 💔
— Matt Le Tissier ✝️ (@mattletiss7) December 4, 2019
Extending our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Bob Willis. Bob was a hugely-respected cricketer and captain and was well-liked by Kiwis. To lose someone of his standing is an extremely sad occurrence – not only for @englandcricket but the global cricket family. pic.twitter.com/xJWmCRrSNj
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 4, 2019
Such sad news regarding the legend Bob Willis
— Darren Gough MBE (@DGoughie) December 4, 2019
An icon of the game I love,growing up as an 11 year old watching big Bob running down the hill 8/43 at the home of cricket Headingley
I’ll miss you Bob
A glass of red will be raised tonight x🏏🙏
Such sad news to hear about Bob Willis’ passing. Best wishes to the family. A England cricketing legend. RIP Bob
— Chris Woakes (@chriswoakes) December 4, 2019
At the time of Willis’s retirement, only Australia’s Dennis Lillee had claimed more victims in Test cricket and he remains fourth on the all-time list of England wicket takers after James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Botham. (With inputs from Reuters)
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