 He was designated captain in the 1950 season but was hampered by injury and Pat Vaulkhard substituted for him in the role while on the field Willatt was an unpredictable, middle-order batsman during his first season.He took over as captain in the 1951 season and occupied the post for the next three years, in which he played consistently for the team.He scored a century against his former team Nottinghamshire in 1951 and Derbyshire finished eleventh in the County Championship.