These days I opt for Mark Ramprakash. Just nine months older than me, he is the Bradman of Bushey and Master of Terpsichore's Muse. In other words, the last man to score 100 100s and Strictly Champion. RAMPRAKASH POWER!!!
Botham looked so good. His rhythm was excellent, his bowling action looked strong and he was bowling with real pace. Hitting the wicket really hard. Notice how he beat Marsh for pace and he was reversing the ball. A number of years ago I spoke to Rodney Hogg in Birmingham. Hogg was the batsman at the non-strikers end watching the later wickets go down. Rodney said, “people don’t realise how quick Botham was bowling in that five wickets for one run spell”, “plus he was reversing the ball late”. What a cricketer the man was at his peak against Australia.
This match holds the Test match record for the highest aggregate of runs (787) without an individual score of 50+. There were only three individual scores of 40 or more. The match was not disrupted by rain, and the pitch wasn't playing any tricks, so it was one of those statistical anomalies that happen from time to time.
Mike Brearley scored the highest individual score in the whole match - 48 in the 1st innings - the only time in his test career that that happened to!!
5 for 1 to win the match when your team has been comprehensively outplayed for the second match running is not a statistical anomaly, it is brilliance we will never see the like of again.
I recall following this match as a 12 year old. The commentators said from the outset that it was a wonderful batting pitch and were constantly perplexed by the inability of batsman to make runs! Wonderful memories!
I was one of those who read in the Observer on that Sunday morning that Australia would conclude a routine victory at some point that day because "miracles, like lightning, do not strike twice". I was driven home from a very awkward social in someone's house, turned the radio on, heard an hour then fell asleep. Woke up and it was music, so Australia had won. Hung around to the end of the news to hear the details and..... no one had processed the previous match, you had to check to see if you were still alive after this one.
I was eleven at the time and had just left junior school. The following month, I would start senior school. Beefy my hero in those far off childhood days!
@@dlamiss From the crowd attendance (particularly at Old Trafford) it was a great success. Seems strange it was 10 years later that Sunday play became a regular thing.
@distantvoices Yes its all about opinions and Botham certainly had more than a few match winning perormances especially over the first 5/6 years of his test career.
Yes, it was! Seemed a shame because he helped England twice with the bat that series - (added a precious 60+ partnership with Botham at Headingley and also helped England get past 200 in this test). Took vital wickets when required too. Was injured just before the Old Trafford test match. Went on the rebel tour to South Africa which ensured the end of his test career. He would have been too old - pardon the pun when the ban was lifted in 1985 to represent England again.
Richie Benaud still sets the standard to which others aspire to.
I was eleven at the time and was moving from junior to senior school. Beefy was my hero growing up.
Still is mine
These days I opt for Mark Ramprakash. Just nine months older than me, he is the Bradman of Bushey and Master of Terpsichore's Muse. In other words, the last man to score 100 100s and Strictly Champion. RAMPRAKASH POWER!!!
ritchie benaud... always spoke his mind about teams performances
Botham looked so good. His rhythm was excellent, his bowling action looked strong and he was bowling with real pace. Hitting the wicket really hard. Notice how he beat Marsh for pace and he was reversing the ball. A number of years ago I spoke to Rodney Hogg in Birmingham. Hogg was the batsman at the non-strikers end watching the later wickets go down. Rodney said, “people don’t realise how quick Botham was bowling in that five wickets for one run spell”, “plus he was reversing the ball late”. What a cricketer the man was at his peak against Australia.
Still, doesn’t help playing across the line. Some very poor batting from Australia.
Botham was and still is the greatest england cricketer have ever had.
Botham is an all time great all rounder. At his best he is surpassed.
I remember watching this with my dad. I was 11 years old. It was totally amazing. Bothams ashes
You would have been the same age as me - I had left junior school and prepared to start at senior school. Beefy was my hero growing up!
The the crowd has gone noisily berserk....oh Richie how we miss you.
This match holds the Test match record for the highest aggregate of runs (787) without an individual score of 50+. There were only three individual scores of 40 or more. The match was not disrupted by rain, and the pitch wasn't playing any tricks, so it was one of those statistical anomalies that happen from time to time.
Mike Brearley scored the highest individual score in the whole match - 48 in the 1st innings - the only time in his test career that that happened to!!
5 for 1 to win the match when your team has been comprehensively outplayed for the second match running is not a statistical anomaly, it is brilliance we will never see the like of again.
@@rumwoldleigh2544 He's talking about no batsman getting a fifty in the match, not Botham's bowling.
@@theradgegadgie6352 Yes, I am aware of that, but writing off the match as a statistical anomaly is hardly fair
@@rumwoldleigh2544 I'm not his spokesman or anything, but I don't think he did.
I recall following this match as a 12 year old. The commentators said from the outset that it was a wonderful batting pitch and were constantly perplexed by the inability of batsman to make runs! Wonderful memories!
The commentators hadn't examined it closely.. it was dry and crumbling.
It's the game where Boycott was 9 not out over night (3rd day)and he was still 9 not out into the 12th over of the 4th day!!
Remember watching this live ... was losing faith until Emburey got Border. I knew we had a shot after that .... what memories!
rip bob willis
Such a great team. Who would think 4 years later they would be humiliated in the west indies. Against all other teams in the following 3 yrars
Australia made 361 for 30 across 3 innings in the 3rd, 4th and 5th tests!
I was one of those who read in the Observer on that Sunday morning that Australia would conclude a routine victory at some point that day because "miracles, like lightning, do not strike twice". I was driven home from a very awkward social in someone's house, turned the radio on, heard an hour then fell asleep. Woke up and it was music, so Australia had won. Hung around to the end of the news to hear the details and..... no one had processed the previous match, you had to check to see if you were still alive after this one.
I was eleven at the time and had just left junior school. The following month, I would start senior school. Beefy my hero in those far off childhood days!
I thought Sunday was usually a rest day at this time, but the 4th day of this particular match was indeed played on a Sunday. Does anyone know why?
1981 was the first year tests were played on a Sunday in England. the first test 4th and 5th of this series were played on a Sunday
Andy JS because they wanted too 😂
@@dlamiss From the crowd attendance (particularly at Old Trafford) it was a great success. Seems strange it was 10 years later that Sunday play became a regular thing.
If ever, in any sport, a sportsman has walked on water, it was Botham in the latter part of this series.
Stephen Gould Great comment.
Greatest test match all-rounder of all time.
Absolutely.
@@jonshecket3010 Sobers was the best all rounder ever.
@distantvoices Yes its all about opinions and Botham certainly had more than a few match winning perormances especially over the first 5/6 years of his test career.
More of this next week please England.
Wasn't this Chris Old's last test?
Yes, it was! Seemed a shame because he helped England twice with the bat that series - (added a precious 60+ partnership with Botham at Headingley and also helped England get past 200 in this test). Took vital wickets when required too. Was injured just before the Old Trafford test match. Went on the rebel tour to South Africa which ensured the end of his test career. He would have been too old - pardon the pun when the ban was lifted in 1985 to represent England again.
Watch closely. Botham is reverse swinging the ball.
as the fans said, theres only one ian botham!
Incredible that no one got to 50 in the match.
Very inept indeed 😂