Following his passing in 2019, tributes to Bob came flooding in from every major news outlet and from every major figure in the industry – and outside of it.
In 2020 it was announced that the shortened red-ball competition will be named the Bob Willis Trophy in honour of the ex-England captain. His career spanned decades, from his days as a cricketer for England to his time as a pundit on Sky TV. This autobiography includes never-before-seen writing from Bob alongside contributions from key figures, as well as a detailed account of the great England victory over Australia at Headingly in 1981.
The book was edited by Bob’s brother David, and Sir Ian Botham has written the foreword. It combines a new 30,000-word biography, written by Daily Mail sportswriter Mike Dickson, with a celebration of a truly legendary man. Tributes from some of his many friends in the world of cricket and beyond are accompanied by reflections on highlights from an eventful life, drawing on autobiographical and personal material by Bob himself, contemporary press reports and the accounts of team-mates and opponents.
Bob Willis was one of England’s greatest fast bowlers, making 90 Test appearances. He played for Surrey and Warwickshire, and made his international debut aged 21 in the 1970–71 Ashes. An unmistakable, inspirational figure on the cricket field, with his long run-up, distinctive action and mop of hair, he went on to take 325 Test wickets for England, captaining his country in 18 Tests and 29 one-day internationals, before retiring in 1984. Together with Ian Botham, Bob spurred England to their most famous victory over Australia, at Headingley in the 1981 Ashes. At the time of Bob’s retirement, only Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee had taken more Test wickets.
Bob Willis subsequently worked as a summariser on BBC TV before joining Sky Sports as a pundit in 1991. He was widely known by fellow players and TV colleagues alike as a kind and generous man, with a mischievous sense of humour.
Bob Willis sadly died of cancer in December 2019. Bob Willis’s wife and daughter will be donating the full advance payment and royalties on this book, less expenses, to Prostate Cancer UK.