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Bob Willis

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One of those you always thought came across as absolutely nuts the older he got, but a great pundit.

Sunderland born. RIP Bob.
 

I remember him for his dodgy hair cut and his run up which seemed to start in the stands.
Awesome cricketer and that 8 for , will go down in history as one of the greatest bowling performances.
 
Very sad. A top bowler and a top pundit.

Never really got the credit he deserved for one of the best bowling performances ever in the headingly 81 test
 
Thats really sad news, He didn't look well the last time I saw him on sky. I always liked his style of punditry, plus he was a wearside lad..RIP fella...
 
Bob tearing in off that long run was one of the truly great sights in any sport. His 8 for 43 at Headingly was a terrifying spell of fast bowling. Loved him a s a pundit as well. Great sportsman, true gent. RIP sir.
 
hudson88 said:
Quite difficult listening to Paul Allott speaking about it now. He was there with Bob when he passed.

Awful, awful news
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Tremendous courage by Allott to speak on Sky just then. Poor bloke was clearly, and understandably, in bits. Huge respect.
 
Very saddened and shocked to hear this news. 😕
The Hesford Diet said:
He had a very distinctive running and bowling style. If anyone has seen the American version of The Office, I would say Mose Shrute was his bowling style.

He had a box at Roker Park for a few years, albeit being a City fan. I remember seeing Mike Gatting there getting very excited as Sunderland turned defeat into victory over Middlesbrough one Sunday lunchtime.

He was consistently good for England at a time when bowlers form was at best erratic. Sometimes he added a touch of genius.

They talk about Botham's 149 at Headigley but Bob's 8-43 was for me far more astonishing when you consider Australia were strolling along at 56 for 1 just before lunch. With some inspired bowling he turned that into 58 for 4 at lunch and then into 111 all out.

He was ahead of his time with the mental side of the game, too, using self-hypnosis to give him relaxation, confidence and extra motivation on the field.

In the commentary box, he had a deadpan wit and gave England plenty of praise, which is sometimes overlooked, as well as criticism when he felt they deserved it

I find it hard to imagine The Verdict and The Debate without him. Thank you, Bob, for a thousand brilliant memories from childhood right up to today.
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Didn’t Brearley bowl him up the slope from the other end just to make him angry? Also brilliant captaincy. (Or was that a different game?)
 
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I’m shocked. He seemed to be in good health during the Ashes. Obviously he wasn’t by. I’m not a huge cricket fan but genuinely liked him.
 
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