Ashes ’81 changed my life: Botham

Ashes ’81 changed my life: Botham

Sir Ian Botham is remembered for many great performances he played for England. But one performance he remembers as the one that was the ‘finest hour’ he had with his bat was the innings he played against the arch-rivals Australia at Headingly in 1981. Botham scored an unbeaten 149 runs which helped England win a match from a losing position.

In a nostalgic interview he gave to The Mirror, Botham revisited his batting in Headingly match. “I can’t quite believe it is 30 years since that summer of 81 and the match that changed my life.” he said.

“Time has flown by and I’ve certainly had some fun along the way. But it still seems like only a few years ago that I felt I could do anything on a cricket field.”

Botham feels that had it not been for the match in Headingly, he would not have had a great career and life that he has.

“One thing I do know is that if I didn’t have the 1981 Ashes then a lot of the things that I’ve been able to do since such as the charity walks and the work I do with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation would not have been possible.”, said Botham. 

Before this match, Botham to cricketer was under pressure of getting dropped due to poor performances in the past. But after the match, he went on to become a legend. This match also saw one of the greatest bowling performances by an Englishman.

Botham said, “I never thought this would be the life I’d get to lead when I walked out to bat at Headingley that July afternoon. There is no doubt that game and the rest of that series changed my life forever.”

After the fiery innings by Botham, Bob Willis bowled a magical spell and took eight wickets. Australians were bowled out for 111 and England won a historic match.

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