News about Bob Willis

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT THE OVAL: It was a day that combined the best and worst of the game, with Ollie Pope sticking up two fingers to the critics after Test cricket turned up its nose at the paying public. Pope's redemptive century, after 30 runs in four innings as stand-in captain, lifted England to 221 for three on a truncated first day of the third Test against Sri Lanka, and kept them on course for a first perfect summer in two decades. It was an impressive response to the brickbats. But his heroics followed another mind-numbing piece of administration, when - at 12.19pm, and with the game only 15 overs old - umpires Joel Wilson and Chris Gaffaney peered ominously at their light meters and decided it was too dark to allow Sri Lanka's seamers to continue. When the tourists declined the chance to bowl spin, off everyone trooped. Just when cricket needed to claw back credibility after last week's ticketing fiasco at Lord's, here was another blow to the game's solar plexus.

England were pegged back by a resurgent West Indies as the hosts ended day one on 38-3 after a fascinating opening day at Edgbaston. Ben Stokes' side had seized the advantage when bowling the tourists out for 282 on a friendly pitch. But two wickets in two balls, including those of openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, helped West Indies fight back and set up an intriguing second day.

Mike Dickson, the Daily Mail's legendary tennis reporter, died at the age of 59. Dickson, a widely respected and admired journalist who worked for 38 years in the newspaper, died on Friday, and colleagues mourned his departure. He began his career as the Mail's cricket reporter before moving to tennis and covering 30 sports in total over nearly 50 countries. Dickson was in Melbourne covering the Australian Open as he died and a few days away from his 60th birthday on January 27.

PAUL NEWMAN: It had to be Headingley. As the stage for what has become a do-or-die third Ashes Test, it had to be both the English ground of miracles and the most raucous crowd in cricket. Where better than Leeds and the Western Terrace for a showdown that quickly followed on from last Sunday's surreal Sunday at Lord's, which has left this series in such a tumultuous vein that even both prime ministers have joined the war of words. The bottom line is that Australia is two up and England needs another miracle, beginning with Ian Botham, Bob Willis, and Ben Stokes, if they are to do what only Don Bradman's side has done and come from two behind to win an Ashes series.

Sir Ian Botham, a legend in cricket, is selling coveted souvenirs from his career for £150,000. He's selling more than 240 souvenirs, including the stump (below inset) after winning the 1981 Ashes series with a stunning Headingley victory. He is also selling the legendary red cricket ball (bottom right) and he inspired England to win in the upcoming test match at Edgbaston.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: The Ashes begins on Friday, with England and Australia likely to meet again in one of cricket's most popular rivalries. Both Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins will lead their teams into battle with the intent of not only winning, but also making their respective countries proud and putting on a show for all to enjoy. Lawrence Booth of Mail Sport takes a trip down memory lane in selecting his 10 best Ashes Tests ever.