Ian Botham 149 Not Out vs Australia Headingley 1981 HD (Best Quality On YouTube)

Nearly all of his boundary's from his classic 149 not out are on this video.
Watch this great sporting moment for the first time (on KZbin) in high definition.
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[@hughgrection4205]

Not just a delight to watch Botham but also a joy to hear commentators talk instead of yell

[@AxeDharme]

Nothing wrong with yelling. Tony Greig and Bill Lawry did it very well

[@peternagy-im4be]

@@AxeDharme or did it badly.....

[@AxeDharme]

​@@peternagy-im4benope. They are among the very best.

[@colsand]

Better still, not to have to hear those shrieking women commentators.

[@martinwarner1178]

We need more lady commentators. Too much male, toxic domination.

[@mikehinton9079]

Awesome , no helmet ,face guard etc ,, true legend

[@rogerofrhodri]

The ball never got near his head, the bat always made sure of that! now they are wrapped in every safety thing available.

[@UKsoldier45]

This innings was also a rare example of scoring 100 before lunch.

[@craigrodgers9693]

So was Botham when he played the West indies​@@rogerofrhodri

[@richln9682]

The Botham-Dilley partnership is the Rorke's Drift of cricket.

[@Dybbouk]

Botham allegedly said to Dilley I don't feel like hanging around here for 2 days, let's give it a bit of humpty!!

[@markmeade2937]

First rank fire , Second rank fire, Third rank fire …….. I get where your coming from 👍😉

[@il9237]

You can't compare military heroism with a bloke who plays a game.

[@richln9682]

@@il9237 errr....well, I can, and I did. You, on the other hand can express superficial cliches to your heart's content. It's supposed to be a free world, after all.

[@1964dangerous]

At one stage Dilley was outscored him...

[@jeremyhowell8235]

This is without doubt the greatest turn-around in the history of Test cricket. What makes it equally enjoyable is how much the humiliation of it all annoyed Dennis Lilley.

[@faramir]

Even tho he'd got 500-1 against an England win!

[@jonathanmills5747]

I would say Ben Stokes Headingley 2019 has a claim for that accolade. It also seems that Bob Willis does not get the recognition in the test with his bowling figures as much as he deserves too.

[@faramir]

@@jonathanmills5747 In terms of the match turnaround, surely Headingley 81 was greater. England were still 92 behind when the 7th wicket fell in their second innings. So they needed roughly as many from the last few wickets to save an innings defeat in that match as they did to win the 2019 match.

[@geoffw1209]

Big bats and shorter boundaries these days make comparison between innings then and now difficult. Having said that Stokes is a better batsman than Botham.

[@faramir]

@@geoffw1209 Yes, Stokes the better bat, Botham the better bowler. The assertion was about the biggest turnround in Test history, and I'm sure 1981 was greater than 2019 from that point of view. It needed 56 from Dilley and 29 from Old, both at best bowling all rounders, as well as Botham's knock and Willis' miracle spell, whereas in 2019 Leach only had to hang on for an hour or so.

[@ricwilki6254]

The late Graham Dilley contributed massively to this comeback with the bat, but it’s rarely recognised.

[@colsand]

So did Chris old.

[@richardmoore5458]

Totally agree. Graham Dilley was a fine player. Taken far to soon

[@jeffstranks1055]

Held a pretty good catch or two as well. I certainly remember his contribution to this win.

[@maipantoon7823]

He's wearing a helmet. He may as well have worn a dress

[@geoffw1209]

Dilley showed he had the necessary test match temperament.

[@darrenjohnbryant51]

Watched this at 14 years old still remember it as though it was yesterday

[@simoncampbell3144]

Yep , where have all those years gone😢

[@Edogawa1117]

Borham was not just a slogger,he had every shot in hs armoury. A fantastic player.

[@CalridRobnor123srs]

He actually spent a short time in America playing baseball, he said it was too easy and had a lot of contempt for it. And you can see why the ball does not hit the ground so it is very easy to follow the spin.

[@CalridRobnor123srs]

The English invented baseball oddly enough derived from rounders.. True dat.

[@CalridRobnor123srs]

You are rigtht though simply class ,I think there were better batsman but not better all rounders he could bowl as well.

[@joshlock4627]

- inconsistent bat - average 30’s - couldn’t play well on a turning deck - average field - overweight - poor runner between wickets - mainly a 4th / 5th bowler - couldn’t bowl a team out - most wickets were tailenders - couldn’t reverse swing - poor leader - pot smoker

[@mjcook5280]

@@joshlock4627 ... whereas you...?

[@Pratt_MusicRoom]

of all the rounders this bloke was the most ferocious, a marauder of the ball, a braveheart.

[@willjennings5252]

Iconic sporting moments Also iconic commentary from Richie Benaud," Don't think about looking for it, let alone chase it. That's gone into the confectionery stall ....and out again"

[@robinbutlin4183]

Jjj Robino

[@colingeddes2172]

It was a beautiful hit.😅

[@DavidGreen-wp7ok]

I was involved in broadcasting cricket back then and I can tell you. It almost got to the point where we expected Botham to do something special and he delivered on many occassions.

[@truthfrequencies]

Botham, one of the best in the world....speechless...

[@rogerofrhodri]

Definitely top 5 if not top 3....maybe the best all-rounder ever.

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

​@@rogerofrhodrihadlee?

[@errolbaptiste]

It was a brilliant partnership of Botham and Dilley worth 117 runs for the 8th wicket.

[@jasonleesinclair2749]

Botham is my hero, he made cricket simple and his all rounder, superstar status, is there for all to see in this Test. Mr Richie Benaud is the truthful voice of the cricketing Gods 💯❤️

[@stephenarmishaw8150]

I was there , what a day. . Entertainment of the highest order.

[@maheshpsoni2222]

1981 ashes series is a most memorable page of cricket history.

[@maheshpsoni2222]

That means u are part of history.

[@iansaltonstall3096]

So was I. 17 yrs old me and my mate oggie went to watch our 1st days test cricket.Unbelievable memories.

[@maheshpsoni2222]

1981 series is jewel of test cricket. Botham what a player. In that era four all rounder are compiting each other. But in my point of view botham is number 1 all rounder. He is not only that era s number one all rounder but cricket history s number one all rounder.

[@allthekingshorses7178]

The match where Ian Botham became a national treasure

[@debbieturner2992]

This happened right on my 21st birthday and completely made the occasion special thank you Sir Ian

[@angelacooper2661]

You are therefore ten years older than me as I was eleven and was about to leave junior school!

[@debbieturner2992]

@@angelacooper2661 yep 62 now I’ve loved cricket since about age 10 when you were born. X

[@angelacooper2661]

@@debbieturner2992 I have been mad about cricket since 1981 - Botham was my hero. Now aged 52, Ramprakash is my favourite cricketer!

[@JohnnieE1961]

Thanks for the HD version. It's great to have footage that you can actually watch (i.e. see the ball) so that these great feats can be judged in comparison to more modern efforts.

[@shirleydrury5565]

Beefy a true legend best all rounder England has ever had .thank u for your talent and great entertainment 😊😊❤

[@gwynmaverickjames6098]

Lost count how many times I’ve watched bothams ashes,probably the finest batsman of that era and best all rounder just brilliant to watch

[@il9237]

He played cricket. Wow, what a hero. Real heroes are in the armed forces.

[@paulmichaelrichardson6582]

@@il9237 he never said anything about being a hero just brilliant to watch.then again you can have sporting heroes silly b@ll@cks

[@casinodelonge]

@@il9237 Or the emergency services, or carers, or nurses.. wrong point, wrong place.

[@scottfletcherr1457]

@@il9237He has also raised millions for charities through his walks and using his fame and profile to benefit those charities, so maybe he deserves to be called and hero for that.

[@il9237]

@@scottfletcherr1457 only because he didn't have a job at the time...

[@TOMLINBISH]

I've never really been into cricket but this was a legendary innings & I was so lucky to be able to watch it live! 🙂

[@reynseq]

Two street smart cricketers Botham vs Lillee. Contest worth watching. Cricket at its best! Worth every penny spent!

[@freepubquiz1649]

Great memories as a 15-year-old. Us sport mad kids were spoilt back then with Botham's Ashes, Cloughie winning the European Cup twice, also Liverpool, McEnroe at Wimbledon and the Coe-Ovett rivalry. This innings was special... and not forgetting Graham Dilley's contribution.

[@paulcaswell2813]

You mentioned McEnroe - his rivalry with Connors was as great as that of Coe and Ovett...

[@brusselssprouts560]

I am not a fan of Botham as a person, but his cricket prowess speaks for itself. I think this is arguably the greatest Test Match Innings in Cricket history. And RIP to Graham Dilley who more than played his part too, who was taken from us too soon.

[@Fingaphunk3000]

definitely NOT a fan of him as a person

[@jeremypearson6852]

I had forgotten about Graham Dilley, but he played some really good cricket in this test. Botham always steals the show when he’s in the groove.

[@JohnnieE1961]

I remember Dilley playing some really cultured shots in that innings - God bless him, RIP Graham.

[@BadgerBotherer1]

@@JohnnieE1961 Dilley was batting like Garry Sobers at times!

[@ray.shoesmith]

He's part of one of the greatest score lines in Cricket history Lillee ct Dilley b Willey

[@paulcaswell2813]

Talking about Dilley and the Aussies reminds me of a classic of radio commentary: 'Lillee caught Willey bowled Dilley'.

[@davidbrooks187]

Botham at his best remains the greatest all rounder ever. Truly magnificent as the commentator says with every shot in the book and an incredible bowler, he did it time and time again when it was the most needed. Winning Great test matches single handedly. When Garfield Sobers said that Ian Botham was the most talented cricketer he had ever seen he was not wrong.

[@John-re2qw]

That is a great compliment but also Sir Garfield being modest. Both great bowlers, batsmen and fielders but Sobers has the edge. Botham didn't bowl fine spin as Sobers did as a extra and then there is that 365 no at age 21 (Conrad Hunte's 260 in the same innings rarely gets a mention neither does Fazal Mahmood's 85 overs, today's fast bowlers take three innings to bowl that many) a score Sir Ian never got remotely close to (208 being his best in Tests).

[@davidbrooks187]

@@John-re2qw Thankyou for you input & it’s always difficult to compare era’s & all time great cricketers. Botham & Sobers are cricketing gods & we’re very complimentary of each other. Both of them had incredible presence on the pitch. Let’s agree these were the two best players of their respective era’s in the two best era’s of cricket and entertained the world with their brilliance and match-winning era defining performances.

[@John-re2qw]

@@davidbrooks187 Thank you for the reply. I was fortunate to see both play live. Sir Garfield when he was here in Australia playing for South Australia and on the Rest Of The World tour of 1971/72 and Sir Ian on the England tour of 1978/79 . I was at university and the sports store I worked at part time hosted an autograph signing by some of the England players, so there, at a bbq that night and at the cricket the next day I was fortunate to meet and talk to David Gower (who is a few months younger than me), Geoff Miller, the great Bob Willis, Sir Ian (who brought two litres of duty free spirits and a box of beer to the bbq, the legends of his drinking in those days are true) and David Bairstow, who graciously spoke to me for a few hours while he was 12th man in the tour match against South Australia. Those two days are one of the highlights of my involvement with sport. Those were great days when you could see a touring team twice in a match against a state side, then the Test. Times have changed but the deeds of the greats live on.

[@davidbrooks187]

@@John-re2qw I am very envious of you, being involved with the teams and sharing a beer with them must’ve been brilliant, they were great days indeed 👍.

[@John-re2qw]

@@davidbrooks187 Yes, great days and a lasting memory, the players I met were down to earth and there was no sign of ego. No beer though, I'm strictly wine, spirits and liqueurs, one of which, a nice rose, I'm currently enjoying. Take care.

[@terencemeikle534]

I had the good fortune to see Botham and Jacques Kallis at their career peaks. When either came to the crease with bat or ball, is was as if there were a golden aura shining around them. Which was the greater all-rounder? With the bat: Kallis. With the ball: Botham. But don't forget, Kallis played 64 more than Tests than Ian did, allowing him to rack up an extraordinary number of centuries. One thing's for sure: they were pure heaven to watch.

[@paulcaswell2813]

First time I ever saw the then unknown Botham bowl - I've never seen the ball swing so much - before or since. It was magical.

[@avatharamveeraraghavan3001]

They were pretty similar. Both were batting all rounders but Kallis had a greater technique and Botham was more potent with the ball. Both were terrific fielders and great competitors. Botham particularly against Australia.

[@PatrickKelly-lz3pv]

Kallis was a fantastic cricketer

[@chinmaynaik7171]

From Headingley 1981 read Headingley 2019 . One of the if not the greatest innings ever.

[@ekamjotsingh372]

For Headingley 1981..........

[@angelacooper2661]

From age eleven to age forty nine. I certainly remember Ben Stokes and Jack Leach prevailing against the mighty Baggy Greens, and was on holiday in Scarborough at the time. Incredible!

[@jonathanmills5747]

I couldn't agree with you more.

[@hanajinks1044]

I remember watching this late at night and couldn't really believe what l was seeing....he did it twice in this Series too....great Champion.

[@kevinmassey7675]

This was the innings that made me go from having a nonchalant interest in cricket as an 11 year old to final picks at Warwickshire trails as a 14 year old

[@angelacooper2661]

Same age as me, Kevin. I left junior school around that time and will be 54 this weekend!

[@JohnnieE1961]

I've noticed amongst the many favourable, some disparaging comments about Botham. They're usually based on comprising his averages against others etc. To these people I'd say "put away your calculators, laser measurers and even the ESPN Cricinfo! To really understand the greatness of Botham you had to be "of the time". England in 1981 wasn't that great. We had a football team that hadn't competed in a World Cup for a decade, our cricketers were regularly beaten by the Aussies and Windies, and one of our most famous sporting celebrities of the last ten years had been a racehorse. Then out of nowhere came Botham. Someone who could actually WIN something for us! And he done it with a swagger. "Both" was "cometh- the-hour", "carpe-diem' personified. His averages - who cares? If it required 40 odd runs in record time or 3 quick wickets to turn a match - why should he do anything more? When it's done and you've won you do the same as all the fans - wash it all down with a couple of pints. Some press pundits (who seemed to harbour some resentment) did at times suggest he should be replaced. I think it was Bob Willis who used to say "if you dropped Botham, which three players would you replace him with?"

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

And also in 1981 we had Joe dolce number 1

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

And spurs won the bleeding cup beating city my dad's heart broke

[@sircxx8621]

‘That’s gone straight into the confectionery stand and out again’. RIP Richie, we will never forget you.

[@robocop5935]

The greatest I've seen. Viv Richards Ian botham. Real greats in history of cricket.

[@paulcaswell2813]

The Oval 1976. Dennis Amiss made a double-ton - and still ended up on the losing side, thanks that 291 by Viv...

[@autumnleaves2766]

Always a joy to see this great innings, and Dilley played a great hand too, sadly no longer with us of course. Also nice to hear the late Chris Martin-Jenkins commentating and Richie Benaud of course.

[@johnhanson5943]

Wonderful days. Britain as a free, happy, largely ethnic British, still quality democratic and Christian country. We even could watch test match cricket, our local (really local) football teams and rugby on the box - without PC and without any bull - except John Bull.

[@angelacooper2661]

I was eleven and about to leave junior school. I remember reading about the Aussies but not seeing the actual play. Beefy was my hero when growing up. Graham Dilley never again reached those dizzying heights of batting prowess and his life tragically cut short.

[@colingeddes2172]

Great memories of watching this in 81. 14 years old. And Botham in his pomp. My cricketing hero. What a guy, what a player.

[@angelacooper2661]

@@colingeddes2172 You would therefore be the same age as my brother Anthony (he turned 55 this month).

[@colingeddes2172]

@@angelacooper2661 i was 56 last month, but who needs birthdays at my age.😔👍

[@angelacooper2661]

@@colingeddes2172 Well, Colin, I am four months' shy of 53 and enjoy getting cricketing birthday cards from friends. And I collect cufflinks (one pair a bat and ball design and the other cricket balls!)

[@colingeddes2172]

@@angelacooper2661 u r still a mere baby at 52 angela. And u have great taste in cricketing heroes

[@robertlangley1664]

All you need to know he’s a great man not just for cricket but all so his charity work

[@davidhastie7700]

I was there as well. What an innings.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Three million people were there apparently.

[@edwardowen4488]

A player feared and respected by all who played against him! He always gave 200% no matter what the game situation

[@BigAmp]

There were a few mishits but lots and lots of the middle, what a magnificent all rounder Botham was. For my money his bowling in the early years especially was way better than his batting..... but nothing wrong with his batting. He could field too. One of the best ever.

[@paulcaswell2813]

First time I ever saw Ian bowl I couldn't believe what I was seeing: I've never, ever seen a cricket ball swing so much.

[@AshokKumar-km3or]

Great Allrounder cricket history Sir Ian Botham..

[@mizofan]

No. His bowling lost its zip, but he was superb with the ball in the early days. Sobers, Imran, Kallis, among others.

[@davidcocks2403]

Not even today so we see cricket shots played like this raw power and timing mixed with cricket shots and a amazing display from silly and Botham we may not see cricket in this form again amazing for 1981 cricket.

[@johnconnaughton9655]

I was 6 years old and can remember every moment of this what a wonderful day that was

[@debbieturner2992]

Loved this, it was my 21st birthday 🎂 that day . Thanks for making it special Sir Ian😊

[@chicagoan6342]

That shot at 2:14! I am starting to think this man is underrated!

[@talesfromshedhq5208]

I was lucky enough to be there on the Monday to see Beefy hit 145* Great Day 👍

[@geoffhaswell7037]

Had the privilege of delivering Graham dilleys sunday newspaper!what a nice chap.Cant beat a bit of Richie!

[@syedshafat618]

The sound of bat meeting the ball is incredible when botham hits it :

[@chrismorgan9460]

For all those people who debate who is England's best ever not just all rounder but cricketer just watch the 1981 series. I T Botham legend and boys own hero

[@davewright8206]

nice job ... i watched this in the usual vcr quality last week ..greatest ashes ever

[@lingolarker9318]

Amazing to think how many have died. Dilley, the commentators we hear in the clip…At least the man who surely would be called the greatest ever all rounder had he not declined so from the mid 80s is still alive and well.

[@sugarnads]

Sorry But he aint even close to Gary Sobers.

[@paulbradshaw303]

Cricket like this seems commonplace today, but to my 13 year old eyes in 1981 was like it was from another planet. We had never seen anything like it. Had a huge impact on the game.

[@raystewart6524]

I was there that day...fabulous day

[@stephenracklyeft9929]

What amazes me about this was no one wearing helmets against at the time some of, the fastest bowlers in Australia 😮

[@johncallaghan4616]

Not a helmet in sight, and all whilst wearing a knitted ECB sweater - Sir Ian, you are a Legend !

[@Nwihsphysio]

What an era that was batsmen not wearing helmets to face fast bowlers unlike today's cricket .

[@angelacooper2661]

Yes, I was eleven and had just left junior school. I am now fifty two, a forty one year difference in era!

[@ttmadness34]

And using what look like twigs compared to the big lumps of wood they use today. :)

[@paulcaswell2813]

@@ttmadness34 And Ian's bat was regarded as a hefty chunk back then too!

[@junii741]

I have seen my dad batting a couple of times , now I realise he has the same stance as Botham.

[@johnnyboy62parker39]

as a leeds lad always luv seeing 24 yorkshire lads enthusiastically fielding at deep deep cover on the boundary more commitment to getting the ball than the convict aussies

[@MilesDavisKDAB]

Botham to Dilley "Do you fancy prodding around for two days on this pitch to save the game?" Dilley "Not really" Botham "OK, lets give it a bit of humpty then" Oh, what fun they had.

[@alijuddy5362]

While you find every other cricketer being pronounced a super star now a days, one has to admire these cricketers of the 70's and early 80's! No helmets and just normal protection and facing bowlers like Lillee, Thompson, the West Indies fast bowlers. Not you find these new "superstars" protected from head to toe and still getting hit!!

[@PeterMc141]

The best batting performance of all time.

[@clubberlang589]

He was playing without a helmet ⛑ so that says a lot when facing Lillie.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

and lawson

[@JP1234815]

@@kamrankhan-lj1ng Lawson also bowled 2 beamers at him. Lawson would have been banned from bowling for the innings if it were today.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Lillee was military medium pace here.

[@WantonMyth]

@@JP1234815 Were they called no-balls?

[@JP1234815]

@@WantonMyth In 1981 beamers were no balled.

[@joshaynes7853]

In fact, Botham started off quite sedately. Dilley outscored him and took the initiative first. Then Botham carried on! Remember it well

[@Dat-yi4iz]

Beefy was 20 odd years ahead of time played it like in a t20 game wasn’t done back then but let’s not forget Willis part 8 for 41 whatever it was ultimate teamwork just awesome

[@nicholaslancaster3438]

Legend Great man

[@ashwinparab]

What a magnificent inning play IAN BOTTHAM

[@paulburns-dt9eq]

The greatest test match my opinion ever!!! Couldn't have written a perfect script even if they'd tried!

[@kevinmunday5782]

No Formula one cock pit coloured clothing, no Football numbers on Clothing just wonderful, Entertaining Cricket from Golden Era .....

[@ThomasDoubting5]

This is prime Ian Botham, just about remember this incredible performance.

[@duncanhewitt6557]

I was at the old Trafford game in the crowd in 81

[@paulburns-dt9eq]

Ian Botham was a true genius. When he'd gotten that century..he seemed to show hardly any emotion and knew how to knuckle down when the tough gets going.

[@michaeldoherty4221]

King Kenny, Steve Davies, Ayton.Senna, Seve Ballorsteros , Bejon Borg and Botham were sporting heros as a kid. I hardly watch cricket now,but when Ian played I was transfixed.

[@TheHumungusrules]

You could also add Eric Bristow, Jockey Wilson, Alex Higgins, Daily Thompson, Nigel Mansell, John McEnroe , Seb Coe, Steve Ovett to that worthy list, what a great era it was, so glad i got to see all these legends in their prime as a young lad in the 80's.

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Undoubtedly the most famous test innings ever but dilley doesn't get talked about here

[@terranceparsons5185]

Botham. " one!" Dilley sets off, Botham realizes the fielder is on it more quickly that he thought " not now!" 🤣🤣

[@andrea22213]

Good to see the fielders clap as he walked to the crease.

[@maheshpsoni2222]

First i I M SORRY. MY ENGLISH IS NOT GOOD BUT I HOPE U CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT WANT TO SAY. 1981 ashes is perfact example. When luck changs how game is changing. A player who s last 12 test was as captain n he was totaly fail both as a captain and player. Suddenly captain was changed. And game of player was changed. A team which is down 0-1 after 2 test matches of 6 test match series. That team won series when steel 1 match was left. Ian botham plays a key role in that turn arround.

[@vinayakchikkankod499]

on those days we witnessed legendary players Chapell bros, Lillie, Thomson , Marsh, Botham, Willis, Gower, Richards, Holding, Roberts, Lloyd, Kallicharan, Marshall and the list goes on....

[@jayanathsenadheera409]

What a game changer❤

[@johnhanson5943]

Looking at Britain today under an evil oligarchic class, I need to watch this now to cheer myself up.

[@kramrenrut950]

It doesn’t get any better than that

[@claudebylion9932]

I will always remember the time -- Lilley bowled by Dilley and caught by Willey.👍

[@dafyddmanton2981]

In the days when commentators did just that, instead of waffling on about every small detail, guessing what might happen next, analysing every single move or stating the blindingly obvious. Much more enjoyable.

[@amitbbachan4952]

What a Bating Ian sir 🤗🤗🤗

[@gunaraj3226]

On pitch and off the pitch he and viv are fire🔥

[@robcornelius555]

My father decided a day out at Lyme Regis would be better than watching this on TV. The first we heard about it was from a guy with a radio as we were walking back to the car.

[@charlesjackman143]

Lyme Regis pretty cool too 🙂

[@stevesims2407]

Brilliant 👏

[@dvaidr]

I remember this clearly. I had fallen in love with a girl I was seeing. It was the best time of my life. Alas, it didn't last, but the cricket did.

[@AnkitSingh-xl6pt]

Whilst Sir Jack Hobbs shall always be the greatest batsman and cricketer England ever produced, this innings of Beefy will arguably remain the greatest individual batting display of all-time by an Englishman, followed only by Gooch's 154* against the West Indies pace quartet.

[@markcheckley3715]

England have had two world-class fast bowling allrounders in my lifetime (I'm not quite old enough to have seen Trevor Bailey) and they have been Mr. Botham and Mr. Flintoff. There have been other very competent and very valuable "bits and pieces" players, but none that fit the true allrounder definition; a player who would get into the team based around EITHER discipline alone, if the other was absent. Stokes ? Not quite. But I shall go to my grave believing that England missed out on a third world-class, fast-bowling allrounder through over eagerness and mismanagement. Batting develops more slowly than bowling in a young allrounder, and I shall always argue that if England had left Stuart Broad in County Cricket for two more seasons for his batting fully to mature, he would have been the real deal. Yes, we indeed saw glimpses in his younger days - and one utterly glorious century - but he didn't have the mind-shape to handle being hit in the face and bounce back - and became a slogger. Too many times, with England in difficulty, have I shouted at my television set "bat PROPERLY, Stuart, for goodness' sake - we all know you can". Opportunity missed. So sad.

[@elih9700]

With a bit of Vice City music, nice touch.

[@ianhaynes3127]

I was at there on the Saturday. If my memory serves me correctly, Ladbrokes were offering 500-1 for an Engerland win. Apparently Lillee and Marsh put a fiver on Engerland!

[@rokerlad49]

On the sunday we entered a 4 a side comp at ghead fell had an aussie called kim robertson playing for us he bowled 2 yards faster than norm that day and we won comp. .kim was getting kind stick off all english lads that day cos of bothams heroics . From underdogs to winning infront of good fell crowd happy weekend alround .

[@robleary3353]

No helmet facing some of the best, most aggressive fast bowlers of that era!. 🙂

[@peternagy-im4be]

They don't seem to be calling each other wankers and their parents even worse names here. Cricket much like the awful fcking society we live in now has gone downhill quickly.

[@patrickmckay307]

I WAS THERE, WITH ME MUM AND IT WAS INCREDIBLE... BOTHAM WAS UNBELIEVABLE! SHAME HE ISN'T MATCH FIT TODAY.

[@patrickmckay307]

Or maybe he is!

[@Nick-lf2lg]

Viv Richards said that on his day Botham was the best batsman in the world

[@LeoDragon34]

And that’s high praise from someone who could legitimately claim to be the best batsman in the world himself at that time.

[@f0urstr1ng]

Praise indeed, although the great Sir Viv never got to watch himself! So humble. Don’t want to put Botham down (as if you could) but it’s Richards for me all day long. Watching him destroy our England team was always a joy, curiously.

[@thaiowl1963]

I was there, aged 18. Didn't go to the 5th day because I thought England would surely lose!

[@vivekpilot]

Viv Richards, Kapil, Botham & Imran... The greatest all rounders of all time..!!

[@patrickjwilliams8342]

Don"t forget Sobers.

[@paulm2467]

Viv? He did ok as a makeweight bowler in ODI’s but he’s not an all rounder.

[@waratahdavid696]

The true allrounders are to me, imran, Keith miller, and Adam Gilchrist ( selected for either of 2 talents). Hadlee, Botham, dev were bowlers who cold bat better than most bowlers. Sobers and Kallis batsmen who could bowl better than most batsmen.

[@paulm2467]

@@waratahdavid696 Botham had over 5,000 runs at 33.5 and 380+ wickets at 28 in tests, those are exceptional figures, Imran was better but for a shorter time so he has better averages but lower totals. They are both great all-rounders.

[@waratahdavid696]

@@paulm2467 fair enough, those figure are a bit better than I had in mind. In general I think " all rounder" is overused. To me you'd have to be picked for each skill alone.

[@shankariyer8378]

Genius at work

[@suffern63]

Bothball at its best

[@neilp190]

Proper Boundaries!

[@hawkesworth1712]

This was the game Lillee and Marsh bet against themselves and won a lot of money on a 500/1 bet. Any other sport and they would never have been allowed to play another game.