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Australian fast bowlers have paid tribute to Bob Willis following the death of the England paceman.

Bob Willis is an English cricket legend who inspired a legion of fast bowlers, Australian great Glenn McGrath says.

McGrath was among a number of Australians to pay tribute to Willis, who has died, aged 70, from prostate cancer.

"Such sad news," McGrath posted on Twitter.

"Bob was an English legend, inspired a generation of fast bowlers around the world and was a good bloke."

Another retired Australian paceman, Jason Gillespie, said the passing of Willis would be felt by many.

"Had the absolute pleasure of spending time with Bob Willis over the years,"Gillespie tweeted.

"A lovely man. A very sad day."

Former Australian swing bowler Damien Fleming said Willis was a great paceman and captain with a "wonderful dry sense of humour".

Fleming posted on Twitter that Willis' famous bowling feats when he took 8-43 against Australia in the 1981 Ashes Test at Headingly was "one of the greatest bowling spells of all time".