Picture Credit: Twitter
The second of the final Test between England and India will be a special day as both teams are set to celebrate Bob Willis day by adorning light blue caps. Edgbaston went #BlueForBob during last year's one-day international between England and Pakistan, where players from both teams, commentators and supporters sported blue, the colour of Bob Willis' favourite Premier League club Manchester City.
Willis passed away from prostate cancer in December 2019 at the age of 70 and #BlueForBob is the hashtag by the Bob Willis Fund - co-founded by Willis' wife Lauren Clark and his brother David to raise funds for and awareness of prostate cancer research.
The Sales & Marketing Director at Edgbaston, Alex Perkins, talked about how they are proud to host the event and celebrate the life of one of the greatest cricket players in the history of the sport. He said: “We are so proud to take part in #BlueForBob Day and to celebrate Bob Willis – one of the all-time cricketing greats who is sorely missed.”
“We’d like to invite all our fans attending on the day to show their support and ‘go blue’ for Bob. We hope that we can help to raise awareness and much-needed funds to support vital research into the better detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer.”
Lauren Clark talked about how last year the foundation was able to raise £500,000 and thanked the Warwickshire County Cricket Club for their support. She said, “We have been overwhelmed by the support for #BlueForBob Day that has helped to raise over £500,000 since the launch of the Bob Willis Fund last year.”
“The warmth for Bob and support for the Fund ensures that Bob’s legacy continues to save lives by supporting crucial research into prostate cancer. It simply would not be possible without the generosity and enthusiasm we receive from Warwickshire County Cricket Club. We’re delighted to be making Edgbaston our home once again.”
Willis took 325 wickets in 90 Tests for England is only below the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Sir Ian Botham in the England all-time wicket-taker list. He had an average of 25.20, with his best figures coming in the Ashes at Headingley in July 1981 when he picked up 8-43.