Headingley Cricket Ground
Leeds, England
17,000
1890
Leeds, England
Grass
About this Ground
Famous for Botham's Ashes 1981. Ben Stokes hit 135* here to win in 2019.
History & Significance
Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds has hosted Test cricket since 1899, and in that time it has become the ground most associated with remarkable English comebacks against Australia. The most famous came in the 1981 Ashes: England, following on 227 runs behind, appeared almost certain to lose. Ian Botham, just restored as a regular player after resigning the captaincy, launched an extraordinary assault from number seven — 149 not out from 148 balls — that transformed the match completely. Bob Willis then took 8/43 to bowl Australia out for 111, and England won by 18 runs in what Wisden called one of the greatest Tests ever played. That match permanently changed how England's players and fans thought about the Ashes. Thirty-eight years later Headingley produced a carbon copy: Ben Stokes, batting with the last man Jack Leach, needed 76 from the final wicket to beat Australia in the 2019 Ashes. Stokes made 135 not out, Leach contributed 1 not out while facing 17 balls, and England won with the final ball drama that only Headingley seems to generate. Yorkshire cricket's deep northern roots give the ground a tribal character that London venues cannot replicate — the Headingley crowd is knowledgeable, loud, and absolutely pitiless with opponents.
Ground Record
Ian Botham
Botham's Ashes miracle · 1981
Famous For
- Botham's Ashes 1981
- Stokes 135* vs Australia 2019
- Yorkshire cricket
About Headingley Cricket Ground
Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds has hosted Test cricket since 1899, and in that time it has become the ground most associated with remarkable English comebacks against Australia. The most famous came in the 1981 Ashes: England, following on 227 runs behind, appeared almost certain to lose. Ian Botham, just restored as a regular player after resigning the captaincy, launched an extraordinary assault from number seven — 149 not out from 148 balls — that transformed the match completely. Bob Willis then took 8/43 to bowl Australia out for 111, and England won by 18 runs in what Wisden called one of the greatest Tests ever played. That match permanently changed how England's players and fans thought about the Ashes. Thirty-eight years later Headingley produced a carbon copy: Ben Stokes, batting with the last man Jack Leach, needed 76 from the final wicket to beat Australia in the 2019 Ashes. Stokes made 135 not out, Leach contributed 1 not out while facing 17 balls, and England won with the final ball drama that only Headingley seems to generate. Yorkshire cricket's deep northern roots give the ground a tribal character that London venues cannot replicate — the Headingley crowd is knowledgeable, loud, and absolutely pitiless with opponents.
Upcoming & Recent Matches
All matches →Live match schedule coming soon for this venue.