IND vs ENG: Why was there applause for 45 seconds before the first ODI? For which veteran was this done?

The first ODI match played between India and England at Edgbaston started with an emotional moment. Before the start of the match, players, umpires and spectators clapped for 45 seconds to pay tribute to former England captain and great fast bowler Bob Willis. This honor was part of the final session of the ‘Blue for Bob’ campaign. This campaign was started in 2019 after the death of Bob Willis due to prostate cancer.

From the year 2021, it became an important part of England’s domestic cricket season. Through this initiative, so far more than 22 lakh pounds (about Rs 28.35 crore) has been raised for research, awareness and timely detection of prostate cancer. Lauren Clark, wife of Bob Willis and co-founder of The Bob Willis Fund, said that the purpose of this campaign was not only to keep Bob’s memory alive, but also to save other families from such suffering. Meanwhile, England’s ODI and T20 team captain Harry Brook said that Bob Willis is among the biggest names in the history of cricket. He expressed hope that this campaign will motivate people to get health checkups done on time.

Who was Bob Willis?

Bob Willis is counted among the most successful fast bowlers of England. He played 90 Test matches for England between 1971 and 1984 and took 325 wickets. The most memorable performance of his career came in the Headingley Test of the 1981 Ashes series, where he took 8 wickets for 43 runs to lead England to a historic victory against Australia. He also captained England in 18 test matches.

Different identity even after cricket

After retiring from international cricket, Bob Willis created a new identity with Sky Sports as a commentator and cricket analyst. He was much liked due to his outspoken opinions, accurate analysis and different style. Apart from cricket, he was a big fan of the famous singer Bob Dylan and he also legally added ‘Dylan’ to his name as a mark of respect. Even today the cricket world remembers his contribution and legacy with respect.

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