Now there are some numbers you don't see every day.
I'm sad to see that "Bob" - R.G.D. Willis on the scorecard - has passed away today. That '81 Headingley test doesn't seem so long ago, and will stick in my mind forever. There are a lot of generational moments when you are asked "Where were you when ...."? I can ask a lot of the people on this forum the same question about that match.
I was in the office on Leadenhall Avenue, London EC4. My flatmate, a drama student not working that day, kept calling me each time a wicket fell to give me an update, and this was before anyone had a direct-dial extension. Joan on the switchboard had to keep connecting him. Eventually she buzzed me and told me she was leaving the line open.
I was allowed to announce each update to the underwriting room where, as a mere claims clerk, I was usually required to keep my head down and my mouth firmly zipped.
So RIP Bob, thanks for the wonky knees, the crazy run-up and the quite scary stare.
Also - Bob's family has asked for donations to prostate cancer research, so I assume that was the cause of his sad and early death. Guys - don't mess with this horrible disease, as much as we encourage and admonish women to get regular mammograms and pap smears, men are terrible when facing up to the "dreaded" prostate exam. It's over in five seconds, and pucker as you may with the sound of the latex gloves being snapped on, you won't feel a thing.
Apologies to the mods for any "non-family-friendly" content here.
A truly phenomenal performance. I watched bob perform his heroics.that decisive over to hughes and yalopp , his steely glare, wpnky operated knees, mop of hair after ian botham swung the bat. Folklore stuff i watched in my late Grandfather' s tv and the rush home after school memories
Such a shame to hear of RGD's passing.
I will always remember that 8-43. Like LA Steve I remember exactly where I was, very little work was done that day.
And a true gentleman. I loved his summaries , even in his last year, always presented with dry humour and a gleam in his eye.
He will be sadly missed.
A very sad day for cricket afficionados :(