Willis was a superb fast bowler, by far the best English quick since John Snow in the early 1970’s.
He was tall, got bounce from a full length and bowled consistently in the low 140’s. He was similar to Pat Cummins, but with more lift and less swing.
He first really emerged in the late 1960’s, and on Ray Illingworth’s legendary Ashes tour of 1970-71. Imagine having Willis AND Snow in your attack.
He only lost his pace at the very end, and in 1984 an uncharacteristic sledge - slur really - made Viv Richards go beserk and end his career.
Willis had a unique way of carrying the ball behind him in his run-up. This was often parodied by part-time bowlers as matches petered out to a draw.
The last “bowler” I saw do this was Alastair Cook, but the most famous example - and tribute really - came at Port of Spain in 1982-83. A rain-affected Test against a india was about to be drawn, and after Tea the legendary West Indies quicks, and then Larry Gomes and Viv Richards, treated the crowd to impressions of the bowling of Bob Willis, Jeff Thomson and Max Walker. Kapil Dev took full advantage and scored a rapid century!
Willis was a superb Test fast bowler, and by then was the England captain. The Port of Spain impressions really showed how respected and famous he actually was.
