I remember Bob Willis for a very unique reason. He is the first international cricketer I saw up close, only the barbed wire of the Hotel Kalinga Ashok lawn separating us - arguably the only livable Hotel in the twin city of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in the early 1980s. A tall lanky guy with an aquiline nose and curly hair is not someone who can be missed. I correctly identified the man, relating him to his pictures I saw on Sportstar, Sportsweek and Sportsworld - the Sports magazines of the time.
It was almost 38 years back, when a power packed English team was touring India. England then had a formidable team, the overwhelming favorites over their hosts. They had an indomitable One Day International record, being the finalist of the prior World Cup, losing only to the mighty West Windies. India had a below average record in the limited overs version of the game.
The year was 1982. A late winter day of that cricket season seems just like yesterday, when the first ever One Day International match at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack was played between India and England in the last week of January. It was one of it's kind. Earlier Cuttack had hosted a few games between the touring international sides and East Zone. But for the first time an One day international match involving team India was going to be played at the picturesque venue.
Enthusiasm was building up in anticipation of the match. There was a huge demand for tickets, with all of them getting sold out in no time. My father somehow managed to grab a couple to the jealously of my friends, giving an ardent cricket fan in me the most cherished opportunity of the time. A few officials were selling their match passes openly in the black market.
The English team arrived early and were housed in Hotel Kalinga Ashok, barely a mile from my home. Next day morning I heard "TRING TRING" - a friend of mine ringing his bicycle bell in front of our flat (apartment). It was his usual signal that something important was going on.
I immediately rushed downstairs. He told me to ride along with him as he got the news that English players were out in the lawn Hotel. I did not think twice, as my heart was pounding fast with unbridled excitement. Now I am going to see in real life the sports celebrities I pictured on the Sports magazines.
We pedaled fast and within 5 minutes reached the spot. I could see Bob Taylor (wicket keeper) and Bob Willis relaxing on the lawn on a cool morning, sipping Tea and chatting. Only a barbed wire separated us by a few feet. Excitement got better of my friend who started shouting in Odia at top of his voice "ARRE DEKH RE, TALOR AU BOTHAM BASICHANTI (Hey, take a look. Taylor and Botham arw sitting together)". I corrected him. It was rather both Bobs, Taylor and Willis. Botham wasn't there.
A few passerby took notice and a crowd started gathering. Both these English players could sense the commotion. They got up and hurried towards their room. Before leaving Bob Taylor made a monkey like gesture and rolled a half eaten apple towards us. We felt so privileged by getting his attention and felt as if we attained salvation. Little we did realize it wasn't a very laudable gesture on Taylor's part. With his blue eyes sparkling at us, the other Bob (Willis) just smiled and left.
This man, tall and lanky Bob Willis along with Beefy (appropriately nicknamed) Botham formed a formidable English pace attack, being the thorn on the flesh of their opponents. Though the more flamboyant Botham hugged the limelight, the gentleman cricketer Bob Willis carved his niche - both on and off the field, later as a Commentator.
I will remember Bob Willis for defending a meagre lead of 130 against the Aussies in Headingley in 1981, with the English snatching an improbable victory by 20 odd runs, with Bob Willis taking 8 wickets for 43. Also for being at the receiving end in 1982 when Sandip Patil hit him for 8 consecutive boundaries and Yashpal Sharma hitting a six off a flick, a fluke shot from the bowling of Willis in 1983 Semi finals.
The gentleman cricketer who died today at the age of 70 will forever remembered for his contribution to cricket by our generation and the generations to come. RIP Bob Willis.
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