The 1981 Ashes and Botham's Ashes: England's Greatest Comeback Story
The 1981 Ashes — when Ian Botham single-handedly turned the series around at Headingley and Edgbaston — remains England's greatest Test cricket victory.
The 1981 Ashes Series
The 1981 Ashes series between England and Australia is known as 'Botham's Ashes' — one of Test cricket's most dramatic and celebrated series. After two Tests, England were 1-0 down and seemingly outclassed. Ian Botham had resigned the captaincy, and Mike Brearley returned as England captain. What followed was an extraordinary reversal that made the series one of the most remarkable in cricket history.
Headingley — The Impossible Comeback
The Third Test at Headingley is considered the greatest Test match ever played. England followed on 227 runs behind and were 135-7 in their second innings — still 92 runs behind. Bookmakers offered 500-1 against an England victory. Botham then played an unbeaten 149 of savage brilliance, with Bob Willis eventually bowling out Australia for 111 in their second innings. England won by 18 runs.
Headingley 1981 Miracle
England needed 130 to win but had been 500-1 against before Botham's 149*. Willis took 8-43 in Australia's second innings. England won by 18 runs — considered statistically the most improbable Test victory in the sport's history at that point.
Edgbaston and Old Trafford
The comeback continued at Edgbaston where Botham took 5-1 in Australia's second innings to win another thriller. At Old Trafford, Botham again played brilliantly in a famous England win. England won the series 3-1, having been 1-0 down after two Tests. The series made Botham one of the most celebrated sportspeople in British history and permanently entered cricket folklore.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Botham's Ashes?
The 1981 Ashes is called Botham's Ashes because Ian Botham single-handedly turned the series with his brilliant batting at Headingley (149*) and bowling at Edgbaston (5-1) to complete an extraordinary comeback from 1-0 down.
What was the miracle at Headingley 1981?
England followed on at Headingley, were 135-7 in their second innings (still 92 behind), and were offered 500-1 against winning. Botham scored 149* and Willis took 8-43 to win by 18 runs.