OTD | Ian Botham’s five wickets for 11 runs at Edgbaston helped England take a 2-1 lead over Australia in Ashes 1981

Sir Ian Botham is hailed as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. He has represented England in more than 100 matches in both Tests and ODIs and has won numerous matches for them with his all-round prowess. One of his notable contributions in the bowling department was in the 1981 Ashes series. 

Australia have won most of the Ashes since World War II. They arrived in England with a dominant mindset and won the opening match at Nottingham by four wickets. After the second match ended in a draw, England managed to level the series by winning the third game at Leeds by 18 runs. 

Ian Botham was adjudged Player of the Match for his clinical performances with both bat and bowl. He grabbed a six-fer and scored 50 runs in the first innings and slammed 149 runs in the second innings before picking up a wicket. England seemed fired up after Botham’s classic but Australians were never going to give up. 

England opted to bat first in the fourth Test in Birmingham with an aim to take the lead. However, they were treated with Terry Alderman’s five-wicket haul which restricted them to 189 in the first innings. Australia, in reply, scored 258 after vital contributions from their middle order. This time Botham could pick up only one wicket. 

Once again, the English batters were disappointed as they were bundled out for just 219 runs in the second innings. Ray Bright wreaked havoc with a fifer and Alderman grabbed two wickets. With only 151 runs needed, Australia were favourites to win the game and take 2-1 lead in the series. 

Meanwhile, Chris Old and Bob Wills handed a horror start to the visitors by removing both their openers early on. Australia’s top-order fumbled as they were reduced to 87/4. However, a win was still far from England and they needed some magical performance. 

Botham was introduced to the attack and he literally dismantled the Aussie batting unit. The right-arm pacer grabbed five wickets for just 11 runs and helped England bowl out their arch-rivals for 121 runs. The hosts thus registered a famous win by 29 runs. England went on to win the fifth Test and sealed the series 3-1.  

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