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Bob Willis Trivia Quiz

Bob Willis was England's fastest bowler at a time when pace men were usually from the West Indies. Take this quiz and learn more about this unsung hero of English cricket.

A multiple-choice quiz by beckyel. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
beckyel

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
173,467

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
241

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which name did Bob Willis take by deed poll? Hint

Bob

Dylan

Robert

George

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Question 2 of 10

2. For which skill was Willis best known? Hint

Being an opening bowler

Being an opening batsman

Being an all-rounder

Being a wicket-keeper

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Question 3 of 10

3. Willis made his test debut against Australia in Sydney, in January 1971. What did he achieve in this match? Hint

15 runs, 1 wicket and 1 catch

7 runs, 2 wickets and a run out

0 runs, 4 wickets and 1 catch

20 runs, no wickets and 2 catches

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Question 4 of 10

4. How many tests was it before Willis had taken 100 wickets? Hint

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Question 5 of 10

5. At the end of his career, how many test wickets did Willis take? Hint

253

352

325

235

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these facts about Willis' career is not true? Hint

He took 80 wickets in one day internationals

His best bowling in limited overs cricket was 7-32

He took 39 catches in test matches

He took 901 first class wickets

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the highest score that Willis made in his career? Hint

49*

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Question 8 of 10

8. Bob Willis' 7-32 against Yorkshire at Edgbaston in the 1981 Benson and Hedges Cup, was the best bowling analysis in limited overs cricket for Warwickshire in the 20th century?

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is not the title of a book written by Bob Willis? Hint

'Lasting the Pace'

'The Captain's Diary'

'Diary of an Ashes Tour'

'Diary of a Cricket Season'

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Question 10 of 10

10. Willis was awarded a CBE in 1982.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which name did Bob Willis take by deed poll?

Answer: Dylan

Robert George Willis was born on 30th May 1949 in Sunderland. He added the name Dylan, as a tribute to his musical hero, Bob Dylan. Incidentally, Bob Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman, using the surname Dylan as a tribute to his hero, Dylan Thomas.

2. For which skill was Willis best known?

Answer: Being an opening bowler

Willis is remembered for racing in to bowl, his mane of curls bouncing around as he ran. He began his career at Surrey, then moved to Warwickshire where he spent the rest of his time in the first class game. He was selected as one of the Wisden cricketers of the year in 1978.

3. Willis made his test debut against Australia in Sydney, in January 1971. What did he achieve in this match?

Answer: 15 runs, 1 wicket and 1 catch

Not the most auspicious beginning to his career. However, he did not make a higher score until 1974, in the first test against India in England, when he scored 24 runs.

4. How many tests was it before Willis had taken 100 wickets?

Answer: 28

England played Australia at Headingley in August 1977, and it was there that Bob Willis took his one hundredth test wicket. He bowled Jeff Thomson in the second Australian innings. In the same match, wicket keeper Alan Knott made his 250th dismissal and Geoff Boycott scored his 100th first class century.

5. At the end of his career, how many test wickets did Willis take?

Answer: 325

Willis took 325 wickets in 90 matches for England, at an average of 25.20. He took 5 wickets in an innings sixteen times, but never managed to take ten wickets in a match. His best bowling was 8-43 against Australia in the third test in 1981, and his best match figures were 9-92 in the second test against New Zealand in 1983.

6. Which of these facts about Willis' career is not true?

Answer: He took 901 first class wickets

In his first class career, he took 899 wickets in 308 matches. He had two hat tricks for Warwickshire against Derbyshire at Edgbaston in 1972, when he dismissed MH Page, M Hendrick, and DJ Wilde, and against the West Indians, also at Edgbaston, in 1976. This time his victims were MA Holding, VA Holder, and AL Padmore.

7. What was the highest score that Willis made in his career?

Answer: 72

Willis scored above fifty three times, twice in first class cricket, where his top score was 72, and once in limited overs cricket, where his highest score was 52*. His highest test score was 28*, and in one day internationals his highest was 24.

8. Bob Willis' 7-32 against Yorkshire at Edgbaston in the 1981 Benson and Hedges Cup, was the best bowling analysis in limited overs cricket for Warwickshire in the 20th century?

Answer: true

Despite Willis' best efforts with the ball and Geoff Humpage's 93, Warwickshire still lost to Yorkshire by 10 runs.

9. What is not the title of a book written by Bob Willis?

Answer: 'Diary of an Ashes Tour'

'Diary of a Cricket Season' was published in 1978, and was about the season in England. 'The Captain's Diary' tells of Willis' experiences in Australia and New Zealand in 1982-83. 'Lasting the Pace' was published in 1985.

10. Willis was awarded a CBE in 1982.

Answer: False

Willis received an MBE in 1982. He captained England, leading them to victory over India and Pakistan in 1982, although he lost the Ashes on the tour of Australia the following winter. He also captained Warwickshire.

Source: Author beckyel

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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