fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
RIP Bob Willis
sad news about one of my first cricket idols when I was a nipper
sad news about one of my first cricket idols when I was a nipper
2019 Cricket
- Thread starter fundy
- Start date
Norrin Radd
Tour Winner
sad news indeed .loved his debate work ,told it as he saw it. RIP Bob. and thanks for the memories .
richart
Major Champion
Very sad news.
Will always remember his eight second innings wickets against Aussies in 1981. A man possessed that day.
Will always remember his eight second innings wickets against Aussies in 1981. A man possessed that day.
Piece
Tour Winner
Listening to the radio it was said he was ill, kept it private, and wanted to work in TV cricket as long as he could. When he was on the cricket debate, he was a great watch, particularly after a bad day for England.
At times I thought he was curmugeonly on Sky for the sake of it but at least he didn't sit on the fence and be bland. An iconic cricketer in his era and certainly has in place in English cricket history.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Very sad news
fenwayrich
Assistant Pro
Such sad news.
Bob Willis's career was an example to everyone who is honoured to wear the shirt, because he is in the pantheon of wonderful English cricketers.
Because of this he was passionate about England cricket, and it was the reason he had such strong views. If you weren't up to it he told you. But make no mistake, if you performed well he was effusive with his praise.
Bob Willis's career was an example to everyone who is honoured to wear the shirt, because he is in the pantheon of wonderful English cricketers.
Because of this he was passionate about England cricket, and it was the reason he had such strong views. If you weren't up to it he told you. But make no mistake, if you performed well he was effusive with his praise.
Absolutely spot on summary. May the legend now rest.
D
Deleted member 18588
Guest
Admired him as a player for both England and The Bears.
Although he didn't always have the easiest of relationships with the supporters at Edgbaston.
Remember him being reminded not long after Headingley '81 by a lubricated Brummie "put your back into it Willis, yow ent playin for Ingland nar". To his eternal credit he laughed.
Unusually as a commentator/pundit he achieved the same very top level standards with his honest appraisal and understanding of the game.
RIP Big Fella, you will be missed.
Although he didn't always have the easiest of relationships with the supporters at Edgbaston.
Remember him being reminded not long after Headingley '81 by a lubricated Brummie "put your back into it Willis, yow ent playin for Ingland nar". To his eternal credit he laughed.
Unusually as a commentator/pundit he achieved the same very top level standards with his honest appraisal and understanding of the game.
RIP Big Fella, you will be missed.
Dan2501
Tour Winner
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Indeed and so refreshing someone willing to leave reputations (his and the players) at the door and call it exactly how he saw it based on the players performances on the days play
Junior
Tour Winner
I honestly do think he is. I believe that he's victim to white ball success and this has carried over into his test form. A good coach could help him with this. I don't want to hark back to the days of in and out (think Crawley, Hick, Ramps, latterly Vince and Ballance ) selections. Believe and show faith in him, coach him well and he'll regain that form he once showed. I think he's a better option thatn Sibley or Crawley right now. Let them flourish and continue to hone their skills in the lions and county cricket.
D
Deleted member 18588
Guest
If a coach can turn around his red-ball batting I would be pleasantly surprised.
However, I don't think anyone can do anything about his keeping. His technique is terrible, hence the nickname "Tin Gloves".
not only that he appears to get bowled an awful lot
Tongo
Journeyman Pro
Neither Sibley nor Crawley have had chance to prove themselves. They need to be persevered with as Burns was. Sibley's irrelevant where Bairstow's concerned though seeing as he's an opener.
Anyhow, 31 tests over the last 3 years at being bang average is considerably more time than almost every other player gets. His face fits and he's Joe's mate, simple as. After nearly 70 tests Bairstow still gives the impression of being an inexperienced pro whereas he should be one of the senior players after that amount of time.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
thats the whole crux of it though, the coaches have been working on his white ball games not his red ball game for several years and the significant technique changes theyve made are positive for white ball cricket but horrible for red ball cricket, cant see him about to reverse those changes
as ive said before, very few are good enough to be at the very top of red and white ball and for the rest its going to be red or white ball as a choice going forward, bairstow is firmly in the latter for me as a white ball cricketer going forward
Junior
Tour Winner
Not really irrelevant as I think Denly would open if they found a good number 3.
You make good points. I just think he can be turned around and I think you're right, I think that they will stick with Sibley and Denly, and I hope they do well and prove me wrong. However, if JB churns them out for Yorkshire in FCC next Summer, i'd expect he'll slot back in.
Junior
Tour Winner
You're right. I think that Vince is still in the middle of that too. He doesnt know whether hes a white or red ball player.
The FCC season doesnt help either does it. It's so spread out and sporadic no one ever seems to be able to find form. "The Hundred" isnt going to help matters.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
how many county games is he going to play in between the IPL, the undred and international ODI/T20 games? Or have i missed the announcement that hes not playing the IPL to play for Yorks to win his test place back?
Junior
Tour Winner
LOL - no mate, you've not missed it. I wish it was the case though.
