Headingley, Leeds — History, Botham's Ashes & Modern Classics
Headingley in Leeds has produced some of the most dramatic Test matches ever played. Learn about the 1981 Botham miracle, Ben Stokes' 135* in 2019, and why Headingley is cricket's most dramatic venue.
Headingley Stadium in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is home to Yorkshire County Cricket Club and one of England's most atmospheric Test venues. With a capacity of approximately 18,000 for cricket, Headingley is smaller than Lord's or The Oval but has produced some of the most dramatic moments in Test history. The ground typically hosts one or two Tests per English summer, including Ashes Tests, and has a reputation for lively surfaces that assist pace bowling — especially in overcast Leeds conditions.
1981 — Botham's Ashes
The most famous match ever played at Headingley — perhaps the most famous Test match in history — was the 1981 Ashes Test between England and Australia. England followed on 227 runs behind and were 135/7 in their second innings — still 92 runs short of making Australia bat again. Ian Botham, who had just resigned the England captaincy, then produced one of the greatest innings ever seen: 149* off 148 balls, full of enormous sixes and drives that changed the direction of the match entirely. Bob Willis then took 8/43 to bowl Australia out for 111, and England won by 18 runs. Australia had actually been 500-1 odds to lose before the Botham innings. The match was named Botham's Ashes and stands as the most improbable comeback in Test cricket history.
2019 — Ben Stokes does it again
Headingley produced another miracle in August 2019, when England needed 359 to win the third Ashes Test with the last pair at the crease. Ben Stokes scored 135* in an unbeaten partnership with Jack Leach (1 not out), hitting the final ball from Pat Cummins for four to give England victory by 1 wicket. It was the second time in history that England had made 359+ in the fourth innings to win a Test. The parallels with 1981 were astonishing — both at Headingley, both seemingly impossible wins, both centred on a single English all-rounder.
Yorkshire cricket heritage
Headingley is steeped in Yorkshire cricket history. The Yorkshire Tykes are one of England's most successful counties and have historically supplied a significant portion of the England Test side. Len Hutton — who scored a world-record 364 against Australia at The Oval in 1938 — played for Yorkshire and is closely associated with Headingley. The ground also hosted the first Test match north of London in 1899 and has been a regular Ashes venue ever since.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at Headingley in the 1981 Ashes?
In one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history, Ian Botham scored 149* to set up a seemingly impossible England win. England had followed on, were 135/7 in their second innings, and were 500-1 to win. Botham's extraordinary innings and Bob Willis's 8/43 bowling earned England victory by 18 runs. The match became known as 'Botham's Ashes'.
What did Ben Stokes do at Headingley in 2019?
Ben Stokes scored an unbeaten 135 to win the third Ashes Test for England in August 2019. England needed 359 to win with the last pair (Stokes and Jack Leach) at the crease. Stokes hit the final ball for four to win by 1 wicket — one of the greatest Test innings ever played and a direct echo of Ian Botham's 1981 miracle at the same ground.
Where is Headingley cricket ground?
Headingley Stadium is located in the Headingley area of Leeds, West Yorkshire. It is the home ground of Yorkshire County Cricket Club and hosts international cricket, including Test matches and limited-overs internationals. The stadium also hosts rugby league (Leeds Rhinos) at the South Stand end.