Cricinfo | Wisden Almanack
Botham's summer. That just about says it all. A remarkable series which contained quite a bit of unremarkable cricket but from the fourth day at Headingley onwards it gripped the English consciousness in a way not repeated until 2005. Australia won the opening Test at Trent Bridge amid much speculation over Ian Botham's future as captain, and after he collected a pair at Lord's he resigned (although as chief selector Alec Bedser told the media, he would have been sacked anyway). England sent for Brearley, but for the first three days at Headingley England were again on the rack and followed on. Then Botham smashed 149 not out, Bob Willis took 8 for 43 and somehow the series was level. At Edgbaston a low-scoring affair (Brearley top scored with 48) again looked to be going Australia's way until Botham grabbed 5 for 1 in 28 balls to secure a 29-run victory and set off wild celebrations. Old Trafford centred around Botham's brutal second-innings 118 was scored from only 102 balls, and despite making a valiant effort when chasing 506 to win, England took the series with a 103-run win. The drawn final game at The Oval was a rather anticlimactic end to the series. Terry Alderman and Lillee were the outstanding wicket-takers (42 and 39 wickets respectively), but Botham's allround efforts (399 runs and 34 wickets) were all the difference.
Tests England 3 Australia 1 Drawn 2
ODIs England 1 Australia 2
Botham's summer. That just about says it all. A remarkable series which contained quite a bit of unremarkable cricket but from the fourth day at Headingley onwards it gripped the English consciousness in a way not repeated until 2005. Australia won the opening Test at Trent Bridge amid much speculation over Ian Botham's future as captain, and after he collected a pair at Lord's he resigned (although as chief selector Alec Bedser told the media, he would have been sacked anyway). England sent for Brearley, but for the first three days at Headingley England were again on the rack and followed on. Then Botham smashed 149 not out, Bob Willis took 8 for 43 and somehow the series was level. At Edgbaston a low-scoring affair (Brearley top scored with 48) again looked to be going Australia's way until Botham grabbed 5 for 1 in 28 balls to secure a 29-run victory and set off wild celebrations. Old Trafford centred around Botham's brutal second-innings 118 was scored from only 102 balls, and despite making a valiant effort when chasing 506 to win, England took the series with a 103-run win. The drawn final game at The Oval was a rather anticlimactic end to the series. Terry Alderman and Lillee were the outstanding wicket-takers (42 and 39 wickets respectively), but Botham's allround efforts (399 runs and 34 wickets) were all the difference.
Tests England 3 Australia 1 Drawn 2
ODIs England 1 Australia 2