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England cricketing legend Bob Willis dies aged 70

England's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker of all-time, Bob Willis, has died at the age of 70. Th...



England cricketing legend Bob...
Other Sports

England cricketing legend Bob Willis dies aged 70

England's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker of all-time, Bob Willis, has died at the age of 70.

The family of the former national team captain say he passed away after a "long illness", believed to be thyroid cancer.

Willis claimed 325 dismissals in 90 Test matches - including a career-best 8 for 43 in the famous Ashes win over Australia at Headingley in 1981. He would describe that innings as "a fairytale, a kids’ comic. It was an extraordinary day when everything went right."

That day was made even more extraordinary when you consider it came six-years after Willis had undergone surgery on both of his knees.

Only Jimmy Anderson (575), Stuart Broad (471) and his long-time international and broadcasting team-mate Ian Botham (383) sit above Willis in England's all-time list of wicket-takers.

He had been a fixture on television over the past quarter-century as a commentator and pundit.

In a statement, Willis' family said:

"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"

More to follow....

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