Bob Willis only one to hit me, says Kapil Dev

NEW DELHI: Bob Willis was a “terror to face,” Indian great Kapil Dev said Thursday, revealing that the England fast bowling legend, who has died aged 70, was the only one to ever hit him with the ball.

In a Test in England, Willis pitched the ball short and Dev went for his signature “Nataraj” pull shot, the former all-rounder said as he paid tribute to Willis whose death was announced on Wednesday.

“It was a very sharp ball, faster than I had imagined, and hit me on the ear. It was the only time I was struck,” the World Cup-winning captain told the Sportstar website.

“Willis was a terrific fast bowler, with a run-up that was unique. Not a fluent run-up but once the ball left his hand it was terror for the batsman.”

Sandeep Patil recalled meanwhile that despite having in 1982 smashed Willis for six fours in one over, as well as for four fours in the 1983 World Cup semi-final, the Englishman was frightening to come up against.

The middle-order master said he was “never comfortable facing (Willis). He would put fear in the mind of the batsman with his searing pace.”