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Edgbaston turned blue on day two of the primary Ashes Take a look at, with each England and Australia gamers sporting the color to help a noble trigger. Earlier, on the opening day, the gamers and the match officers have been noticed sporting black armbands.
On Day 2, together with gamers, the spectators have been additionally inspired to put on a splash of blue. This was to pay tribute to the late England nice Bob Willis, who picked 325 wickets in 90 Assessments. Edgbaston was Willis’ home dwelling for probably the most of his profession and it additionally hosted 5 video games he performed in, together with the well-known 1981 fourth Ashes Take a look at.
Willis handed away because of prostate most cancers in December 2019 on the age of 70. Later, Bob Willis Fund was established in his identify by spouse Lauren Clark and his brother David to fund analysis into the sickness and lift consciousness.
The primary “Blue for Bob” occasion came about at Edgbaston in the course of the one-day worldwide match between England and Pakistan in the summertime of 2021. The second annual occasion was held final 12 months in the course of the rescheduled fifth Take a look at between England and India.
Over the course of the preliminary two years, a complete of over £800,000 has been raised for the trigger.
Edgbaston turns #BlueForBob 🔵
A fantastic trigger and a very nice man 💙https://t.co/dCCj1QWMYS pic.twitter.com/UlfmOQqOQH
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 17, 2023
It is #BlueForBob at Edgbaston at present. When you’re attending, bear in mind to put on a splash of blue.
Present your help for @bobwillisfund. 💙#Edgbaston | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/7DRfI3sSJm
— Fortress Edgbaston (excluding 2019) (@Edgbaston) June 17, 2023
“I’ve been completely greatly surprised by the generosity of the general public. I by no means thought after we began this two years in the past, we’d be standing right here having raised greater than £800,000 in Bob’s reminiscence,” Clarke was quoted as saying on Sky Sports activities.
“An enormous thanks go to our companions, significantly Sky, the ECB and Warwickshire County Cricket Membership, which was dwelling to Bob for therefore lengthy,” she added.
Speaking extra about Willis, his finest bowling figures got here within the 1981 Ashes Take a look at at Headingley the place he picked 8 wickets for 43 runs to dismantle Australia and win the sport for the house group.
Following his retirement in July 1984, he transitioned into a task of a Sky Sports activities analyst, delighting viewers together with his sharp and witty evaluation of the sport.
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