On the 15 August, 1981, a legend was born when Ian Botham scored a century in 86 balls against Australia in the 5^thAshes Test at the Emirates, Old Trafford.

Botham had started the series as England captain, but a run of 13 Tests without a win, saw him replaced by Mike Brearley, but the triumphant Botham set the stage for England to regain the Ashes in front of a raucous Old Trafford crowd.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, England were all out for 231 on day one, with Botham out first ball for a duck, caught out by Bright, to the bowling of Dennis Lillee.

The hosts fought back, and dismissed Australia for 130, with Botham taking 3 for 28 off 6.2 overs.

In the second innings, in front of 20,000 spectators, England initially surrendered the initiative, collapsing to 104 for 5.  What followed was heroic the Botham knock, which swung the pendulum firmly in England’s favour. Botham delivered arguably one of the best innings of his career, scoring 118 off 102 balls in 123 minutes, including six 6s and thirteen 4s, and the legend was born.

England put on 404 all out in 151.4 overs, leaving Australia needing 506 for victory in the final Test. Although Australia battled hard, with centuries from Yallop [114] and Border [123], with a total of 402 all out, the Aussies came up short by 103 runs, and England celebrated a famous Ashes series victory.

15 August 2019