R.I.P. Bob Willis. An equally important part of the success in the '81 Ashes.

@maheshpsoni2222

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely right What a spell, memorable 8 wkt

@geoffreyking1634

2 жыл бұрын

They were all important team game,must not forget the skipper, the keeper,all contributed

@georgestephenson7158

Жыл бұрын

Well said.

@thadtuiol1717

Жыл бұрын

RIP Graham Dilley. He was involved in 2 key moments: Hit that marvellous 56 in the 2nd innings to keep Botham company and took that towering catch down on the boundary at 3rd man off Rod Marsh's hook shot. Died too young, sadly.

@Muckylittleme

11 ай бұрын

RIP BBC, a one decent pro British institution.

Ian's friendship with Viv Richards always inspiring

@murdoch691

9 ай бұрын

It was full of ganja 😅

As an Aussie I hated Mr Botham. But as he isn't kicking our asses anymore i can afford to give him the enormous respect he deserves. Well played sir, I miss watching you flog my team.

@shanmukhapraveen7406

3 жыл бұрын

@Mark Richardson Except in India, they are very well respected here!

@andrewmulligan6844

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah. I love him NOW

@markdouglas9182

3 жыл бұрын

True; but also as an Aussie cricket fan; I think I can safely say that no English cricketer in the last 40 odd years - is more admired and revered in Australia, than the mighty Ian Botham. One of the very best...

@johnroberts6753

2 жыл бұрын

When our rivalry was legendary with the greats of Lillie Thompson Border Brearley boycott and Willis. What a time to fall in love with cricket and the ashes

@joshlock4627

2 жыл бұрын

Only kicked out butt in that 81 test and the 87 Ashes - that’s IT!!!! Very inconsistent player

Having Viv and Big Bird as your nightclub bodyguards - that's hilarious.

I'm Welsh, not A cricket fan but I appreciate Ian's talent. Headingley 1981 says everything about him and Bob Willis.

@willhovell9019

11 ай бұрын

The nationai cricket team is Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 and England , including Glamorgan in the county ieague

@martinwilliamdavies7977

11 ай бұрын

@@willhovell9019 There We Are Then.

For me Willis' bowling that day was the greatest display of pace and hostility I've ever seen.

@EdMcF1

10 ай бұрын

And the last wicket, the middle stump doing a cartwheel.

@johncourtneidge

6 ай бұрын

Yes!

Every time I hear the late and very great Richie Benaud say "Bowled 'im, it's all over" at Headingley it makes me cry.

@pwareham61

3 жыл бұрын

I miss Richie Benaud so much.

@thadtuiol1717

Жыл бұрын

Same here. The ending of that crazy test match still sends shivers down my spine...RGD steaming in looking like a man possessed, the stumps going everywhere and Richie Benaud's beautifully timed "Bowled 'im, it's all over". I was 9 years old and I have been hooked on cricket ever since.

As an Aussie, I always loved watching Botham. He was in a class of his own, a cricket giant.

Let's also not forget that in that '81 Headingley Test, Ian Botham also took 6-95 from 40 odd overs in Australia's first innings of 400 odd, then top scored for England in their first innings of only 174 with exactly 50, before the fantastic 149* in the follow-on innings. This was the fourth out of five occasions in his test career that he scored a century and took a 5-for in the same test. No other all-rounder in test cricket history achieved this feat more than twice. That says plenty about his ability as an all-rounder to take a match by the scruff of the neck and dominate it! The other great all-rounders who performed that allround feat on two occasions were Sir Garfield Sobers of the West Indies, Mushtaq Mohammed of Pakistan, and Jacques Kallis of South Africa. Just the three. Botham did it more than twice as many times as any of them. He was one of a good number of truly great test all-rounders that cricket history has given us, the other three in the '70s & '80s providing such magnificent competition for him in Imran Khan, Sir Richard Hadlee, and Kapil Dev. However there has never been another all-rounder quite like him, or indeed quite on his level in terms of being able to completely dominate a single match and more or less win it for his team. Sobers is widely regarded as the greatest actual all-rounder of all time. Perhaps rightly so - these things are somewhat subjective of course, but Botham in his own way was utterly incomparable. Especially when he was at his very consistent best in the first half of his career before the foot and back injuries affected the consistency of his game and the pace of his bowling. Nevertheless, while a lot has been made of his deterioration as a player, he remained a fantastic all-rounder to the end who was still as likely to do something remarkable as not. A truly great player, and without doubt a great English man.

@mrkipling2201

2 жыл бұрын

Well said. A fully fit and firing Ian Botham would have made the 1989 Ashes series a lot closer. After the 1986/87 Ashes series the injuries seemed to affect him a lot more. People forget how good he was in the 1992 World Cup as well. Playing the role of pinch hitter and with accurate bowling.

@kennethcrowther2277

2 жыл бұрын

@@mrkipling2201 yep. That '92 World Cup in Australia & New Zealand was one of the things I was thinking about regarding how good a cricketer he still actually was at the end of his career. His appearances for England had become very sporadic in the seasons leading up to '92 anyway. That '92 WC might even have been his very last involvement in international cricket. Maybe he played a couple of tests against Pakistan in the '92 English summer before announcing his retirement. He was excellent in that WC! A few more runs from him in the opening role partnering Gooch would've been good, but his bowling was superb. Accuracy and subtle changes of pace with some clever swing and seam. His best innings (and match) was the heat match against Australia at the SCG where he took his career best ODI figures of 4-31 off his 10 overs to help bowl the Aussies out, and then belted 53 to get the chase going and the result pretty much beyond doubt by the time he was out. However, Wasim's day on the final hey, including IT Botham caught behind for 0. Lol.

@randyborstol2491

10 ай бұрын

@@kennethcrowther2277 as I mention above - he was still expected to turn out for his county for every game. The sheer amount of cricket he played for an all rounder was incredible and obviously took its toll. He suffered a back injury in 1980 and never totally recovered. He eventually missed the 1988 season. He opted out of touring in 1984/85 and was banned in 1986- and the following Ashes series saw him fresh and at his match winning best. I remember just before his ban in 1986 - he was on live tv batting for Somerset v Middlesex I think in a Sunday League game. Somerset needed 12 off 3 balls. He asks Umpire Dickie Bird 'can i do it Dickie?' 'I think you can son' and he hits the next ball for 6, misses the next one. 6 to win off the last ball - and he hits it for 6. He was magic like that. A giant. And this was before T20 and mass six hitting in an era where players played with caution.

@diablovalley

8 ай бұрын

​@@randyborstol2491amazing story, thanks for sharing!

What ian for those kids is epic , well done Sir ian beefy botham, we love ya.

I discovered the beautiful game of cricket during the summer holidays of '77. I had passed my eleven plus the year before and could not be bothered to mingle for a while, I soon caught up. I layed on my long sofa and discovered these 2 genius players, Viv Richards and Ian Botham playing for the invicible Somerset team that year. I was laying fresh eyes on cricket aged 13 and it was obvious these guys were the real deal. I have loved top quality cricket ever since. My van has a West Indies fielding hat and recently replaced my lost England and Wales county hat

Brings tears to my eyes seeing the love and passion for the country and ofc the game itself 😭😭💔

Really enjoyed this. I even produced a little moisture around my eyes. And it's not because I'm an Aussie and sore. It's the content. Sure Both was a great cricketer, a superb talent, with an ego to fit. But no. What I admire is his heart and generosity. To help those children he met in that leukemia ward. There are a lot of talented sportsman but few have the generosity of spirit to go beyond that and put out for others. Mr. Botham puts the S in Sir. Thoroughly deserved. Also RIP Bob Willis and Graham Dilley and co. A great era laden with great people.

Lots of people remember watching these great matches whether it be tests or the old county cups and that was because it was all there free to see and on all day on the good old BBC. Those were golden days for sports fans. Ok you can see everything from anywhere 24/7 but that for me takes something away from the spectacle of sports today. I value and treasure those moments far more than whatever happens to be intruding on the screen in a bar today.

@Mango62uk

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. For cricket to move to Pay TV Sky is a disaster. An entire generation of potential new players are being missed by this short-sighted greedy decision.

Every boy wanted to be him and do what he did. A great Englishman who will be forever respected for ever in the realms of sporting hero’s and for the money he’s raised for charity’s. I wish him a very long and happy life.

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

My hero's from a different era were the great Australian all rounder Keith Miller a real boys own hero over 6 foot with looks of a film star. A night fighter pilot flying Mosquitos during world war 2 A great Bat and a instinctive very fast bowler who could change a match. A brilliant slip fielder . Very similar to Botham in attitude and manner but with much greater charm and modesty. liked by all who met him. And England's first media star Denis Compton. A great bat a genius also played foot ball for Arsenal and England a brilliant foot baller in the George Best class early in his career which was shortened due to 6 years of war when he lost his best years. Scored over 40000 runs 123 centuries and even managed to take 600 plus wickets with his left arm spinners. Averaged over 50 At one point from 1945 to 1950 scored over 60 centuries averaging over 70 in county and test cricket. and 20000 runs A serious knee injury hampered his later years. But he was one of England's real greats modest and charming to all who met him. A great sportsman a real hero.

As an Aussie, I salute you Sir Ian

@vantheman12welshman66

4 жыл бұрын

Michael Lemmer good on you mate. Aussie’s have always appreciated Botham more than the English.

@bside_nl

4 жыл бұрын

@@vantheman12welshman66 I see it differently, really. Aussies ( and I am one of them), wanted an Ashes tour that mattered. Botham (and Willis) gave the Aussies that. Botham took on the Thommo and Lillee attitude and gave it back to us in spades. They have our respect for that.

@MOLMENTUSS

4 жыл бұрын

Appreciate that my friend .

@kolossimike

4 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid, I asked Botham for his autograph. He said, "Fuck off." Lovely fella. (I asked Geoff Lawson for an autograph at the same game. He said, "Sure, mate," and duly obliged. What a bastard.)

@gileshorton8282

4 жыл бұрын

Beefy loves the Aussies. Great camaraderie

Those were the days my friend . . .

Love this ashes series botham at his best ,and of course Bob Willis taking wickets all over the place,what a team we were

I have tears watching this. I watched him in the Bangalore test during 80.81. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE my super hero, Ian Botham! Very few people inspire people across the globe!@ Ian B was certainly one of them.

Botham deserves a movie

@VeraHolm

4 жыл бұрын

Also a better world for his children and us.

@spnhm34

4 жыл бұрын

How could it be better than this

@davidjones5333

4 жыл бұрын

@@VeraHolm His grandson is a Wales under 20s rugby international

For me, england coming back from the dead in 81was one of the greatest feats of british sporting moments, it's up there with the 66 world cup. RIP Bob Willis RIP Graham Dilley.

Showed a big heart in his cricket days and even a bigger one with his charity work.

Great documentary. I used to watch Beefy, Viv and Big Bird at Taunton as a schoolboy and once helped serve drinks at the players bar. Richards was just the most incredible athelete. Its quite moving to see how much love Bob Willis had for Sir Ian.

@Mango62uk

Жыл бұрын

Viv Richards moves with such majesty that it's breathtaking to watch.

@cmpokhriyal

10 ай бұрын

@nickpilgrim1966: Weren't Gavaskar there with them?

I was 6 years old and can just about remember this. Feel so lucky to have grown up in this era.

@Mango62uk

11 ай бұрын

Check out the recent "Gods of Tennis" documentary on BBC. It's brilliant and tells of lovely, vanished era or literal sports gods.

Watching this just after we beat the Aussies at Headingly 25th August '19 by 1 wicket!

@largejack1000

4 жыл бұрын

Me too

@Round_07

4 жыл бұрын

Me too! Onto Edgbaston 2005 next 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@huxleypig69

4 жыл бұрын

Yep! Stoke's knock was better IMO though. Just amazing, record run chase with 73 required from the final wicket?! The drama of the non-run out and the burned review when we only needed 2 to win? The outrageous shots (ramp shot for 6, reverse sweep for 6)? Just unbelievable.

@marnuscoreyempanadaslooseb6760

3 жыл бұрын

I will upper cut you, Stokes and the Poms because of Headingly anyways jokes on you we win the ashes, Smith and Cummins are the best in the world, and we’ll win 3 ashes in a row in 21,22.

@Hetstaine

2 жыл бұрын

@@marnuscoreyempanadaslooseb6760 Absolutely flogged in the 21/22 Ashes. This comment aged like milk.

I was on holiday in Norfolk at the time, as a naive 18 year old. I remember the Headingly test so well. Hot summer days, beer and the cricket on the BBC. Then Botham... WOW!

I remember this summer as a child so well. To say Ian Botham was a national hero was an understatement, I don’t think I’ve witnessed anybody getting even close to the status he had ever since. Mind you it wouldn’t have happened without ‘angry’ Bob Willis’s bowling cameo at Headingley.

@charlesdale5965

4 жыл бұрын

A pair at Lords. Losing the captaincy. England on the ropes........ Even Hollywood would struggle!

@philmarsh1000

4 жыл бұрын

Also wouldn't have happened without Graham Dilley

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

@@philmarsh1000 even Botham admits that. Stokes produced a performance yesterday that was greater than Botham in as much the Australian bowling was far better than in 1981. Both never the less great performances.

@aggers40

4 жыл бұрын

@@philmarsh1000 or Chris Old's 20-something, either. We'll conveniently forget Bob Willis' 1 though!

@sunilkp70

3 жыл бұрын

@@iankemp8535 Strokes never a bowler near Botham's class.

God bless you Beefy. From an appreciative Aussie.

viv, big bird and botham.....brothers in arms

Botham 138 at the gabba in 86 .His greatest innings.He had one of the best cricket IQ's of a all time .

This is the best doco I've ever seen. Ian is not only a champion and knight, but also a saint. (Don't tell my friends, but as an Australian, it's OK if England win the odd game. I'm glad to share the same air as you Sir Ian!)

Absolute legend. Ran Geoffrey Boycott out when he was scoring too slowly, ran the Aussies ragged, and that Old Trafford 100 was, as Stephen Fry said, his best innings ever. Don't forget Graham Dilley's part in the Headingly match, he hit a fifty in that 2nd innings and stuck around with Beefy, Chris Old hung around too.

@retrocynical5209

4 жыл бұрын

Bill Bonnington well said, people forget the part Graham Dilley played in that victory.

@Formula1Madx

4 жыл бұрын

He ran Geoffrey Boycott out? But what about Boyc's average? 😳

@harrybrighouse5094

4 жыл бұрын

Not only did Dilley hit a 50, but he was the one who started hitting -- Botham looked unsure of himself for a while, but Dilley seemed to have just thought there was nothing to lose, and Botham caught on quickly.

For Stephen Fry to say Sir Ian Terence Botham has given him more sheer pleasure than anyone else is saying something..

@Mango62uk

4 жыл бұрын

Oh, very droll.... :)

@Isleofskye

4 жыл бұрын

One does one's best, my friend. One dos one's best...

@Mango62uk

4 жыл бұрын

Seek out a bottle of "Lion" lager (from Sri Lanka) as a reward for your droll quip :)

I'm glad that they gave Bob Willis his due in this documentary when they talked about Headingley 1981. Ian Botham quite rightly gets lauded for his efforts in that match, but without Willis' bowling spell, I think the Aussies probably end up sneaking the win.

@joshuaspencer1578

3 жыл бұрын

R.I.P the great man.....

@huepix

3 жыл бұрын

Yup. These two were the leaders for a new age of English cricket.

I remember in the late eighties, I was cycling to work at Hull university one morning, I looked up and the whole of Beverley road was full of people walking towards me, as I passed there was Ian Botham, big smile, chatting laughing with his crowd. Couldn’t believe how big he was! Couldn’t believe it actually happened but I’m glad it did.

Love beefy's attitude " we should take the game to them".

I have only a handful of idols. Ian Botham is one of them. The greatest sportsman that England has ever produced.

@simongilliat2205

4 жыл бұрын

Hmm, Daley Thompson, Steve Redgrave, Lewis Hamilton, Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome might have something to say..

@jmacattack1234

4 жыл бұрын

Lewis Hamilton!! Get a grip

@slowhand8301

4 жыл бұрын

Simon Gilliat Ronnie O'Sullivan, graham Jarvis, Colin McRae , Jim Clark, and Bobby Moore are England's greatest sportsmen

@paulwoodhall1748

4 жыл бұрын

Our Nige?

@slowhand8301

4 жыл бұрын

Paul Woodhall shut the fuck up

Such a prophetic piece of commentary: What a triumph it would be if he could still be batting at 6 o'clock this evening

@simonmcpartlin6547

11 ай бұрын

Absolutely spot on. I was watching it live at school during a geography lesson (teacher was obviously a cricket fan). I wast just mentioning the quote a couple days ago and ironically then read your comment. 👏👏👏

Genuine Hero, Sir Ian Terence Botham.

This is a MOST AMAZING video --- featuring one of the GREATEST all-rounder Match winners ever born in the history of international cricket. Whenever the high points and glories of cricket are discussed--- even a thousand years from now--- Ian Botham's name is certain to find mention. A man who could single-handedly change the complexion of any game, just as Kapil Dev did for India. I salute Mr. Botham for his fantabulous contribution to cricket-- it's people like Botham who give the color and richness to the greatest sport in the world.. C.R.I.C.K.E.T

@jonvalbonne

4 жыл бұрын

Well said, Raj, and yes, Kapil Dev was a Tour de Force and an equal, no doubt!

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

gee that's a bit over the top In 150 years of cricket Botham was lucky his great performance was recorded many others equally great or greater were not You have to get things into proportion.

@Raj-Sahu157

4 жыл бұрын

@@iankemp8535Kemp well I am afraid I must disagree with you Ian. There is nothing called "lucky" when you win several test matches for your country. It's a combination of talent, hard work, temperament and persistence which wins test matches. Test cricket has not produced too many genuine allrounders--- not ones who can do a bit of both BUT LOTS in both fields. Botham was one of those rare match-winning all-rounders cricket has produced. It's not Botham's fault that he was recorded. In fact, it makes his effort even more transparent and credible --he was on top of his career when the West Indies and Australia had some of the most fierce batting and bowling attacks ever witnessed in the history of cricket.

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

Yes not disagreeing but you have to recognise that cricket has been around for 150 years plus. Bothams performance was a great one against a pretty weak Australian team with most players well past their best. He did not do well against very strong teams. I met Botham on a couple occasions did not find him a very pleasant man. In 70 years of watching cricket also met some of the greats > Denis Compton was one of England's greatest sportsman. A genus as a bat scoring in the space of just 5 years after the war 60 plus centuries and 0ver 450 wickets 20,000 runs at average of over 66 also 12 test centuries averaging in test cricket over those few years after the war over 70 also found time to play outside left for Arsenal and England during war years.. If it had not been for war years when he lost 6 of his best years he would have broken many records. In the end despite a damaged knee in his later years which restricted his batting and bowling. he still despite losing his 6 best years scored 123 centuries and 40000 runs 17 test centuries av over 50 in test cricket. averaging over 50 over all with a light bat and 600 plus wickets with his left hand chinaman. A man of great charm and debonair good looks, and modest and respecter of the greats before him. I met him too, very different than Botham . Botham was not a respecter of the greats before him. Also Compton was the first media star , the bylcream boy after the war years.. Keith Miller another real boys own hero with the looks of a film star 6 foot a great fast bowler and a magnificent bat for Australia very similar to Botham in many ways but with far greater charm and modesty. A night fighter pilot flying mosquitos so again another great player who lost his best years due to the war, But what a player. These were real great players and sportsman . Regarding Botham over all he was England's greatest all rounder. watched him a lot . He had what one would call force of personality like Miller , but with out the charm. I still think that Sobers was the greatest and most versatile , all rounder very good bowler and a much greater bat. . Miller as I have explained above I would put second Imran Khan third Jack Killis third Botham fourth Kipital Dev fifth . Botham had some great games and his impact was considerable. Some would argue that Wilfred Rhodes was a far greater player all rounder in a different era Than Botham Have watched and played cricket over many years having met some of these players I am aware very much of the hype. cheers

@Raj-Sahu157

4 жыл бұрын

@@iankemp8535 That's a wealth of information you provided , and it's much appreciated. Yes I had read much about Compton and his genius. As a genuine cricket fan born and raised in India, I got a chance to see on TV and real life some extraordinary cricketers in 70s and 80s. By 90s the game had started becoming too commercialized. The charm of old school cricket was fading and fast getting replaced with new rules and technology. It started changing to a TV game , with all the gadgets and gimmicks in place. That being said Cricket will always hold a special place in my heart, and I appreciate good cricketers from around the world. But somehow I don't think they can come near the greats of yore. I was really glad to read all the information on the greats of the past. Thank you very much, and I'm glad to meet you sir :)...Raj.... Los Angeles

In June 1974, Somerset were playing Leicestershire in a John Player Sunday League match at Westlands in Yeovil, my home town. I was ten years old. At the time, i didn't have much love for cricket, football being my game. So, I sloped off and started to play football in the adjecent football pitch. A boy joined me, a boy who was in the year below me at school and we played football under the hot sun. Soon we were thirsty. We saw the queue for the refreshments, so then he said "my brother will get us some water" He took me down to the changing rooms, their was no pavilion. A cricketer was sat in all his whites and my friend told me that he was his brother and was twelve man for Somerset. This was nearly 45 years ago, however I remember immediately that the cricketer was special, he argued a little with his brother but eventually got us some water. I remember how he looked, how he behaved and how I was immediately in awe of him. Of course the cricketer was IT Botham. Still 45 years later he is still my sporting hero.

@atulterkar3947

4 жыл бұрын

GREAT STORY SIR

@nandamuriramesh

3 жыл бұрын

Nice Story - I will try to make a movie

I can remember exactly where I was during that fantastic Headingly match ...

Legend is an understatement for this man. I can only pray we call the 2023 series "Stokes' Ashes" but I'm not too confident 😬

Thanks Ian Botham for the great way you played cricket.

Clive Lloyd said that Ian Botham had the heart of a West Indian. Dean Jones said Ian Botham should have been Australia. Talk about respect from your rivals! I love cricket so much!

@joshpryor2193

4 жыл бұрын

*Australian

@Mango62uk

4 жыл бұрын

Sri Lankan fans give Kane Williamson a birthday cake as sign of their love and appreciation to a great cricketer. kzread.info/dash/bejne/lKhll8Rsc6qeeso.html

Ian Botham in his prime was the greatest all rounder ever. Time and time again he did it when it was needed and produced world class match-winning displays with the bat and bowling at the highest level. Even the great Sobers stated that Botham at his best was different class . The English cricket Board made a big mistake in making him captain as all it did was clip his wings and it detracted from his flamboyance, upon taking the captaincy away from him immediately improved his performances & Englands results. Botham is a true Legend.

@randyborstol2491

10 ай бұрын

I agree totally. I was not born when Keith Miller was around but players like Miller, Botham, Hammond, Warne have personalities and made an giant impact on the game far beyond statistics and averages. That said Botham scored a century and took 5 wickets in a test - five times- and no one comes close. An exciting batsman and bowler and fielder. Ranked #1 in bowling in the world and number 4 in batting in 1982. Incredible. The 1980s drinking culture affected him for sure (the Liverpool soccer team drank their way to the treble in 1984). as did a back injury he never fully shook off - sustained in 1980. With today's fitness regimes, T20, short boundaries, no county games etc he would have been incredible. Botham was still expected to play for his county in every game and the sheer amount of cricket he played as an all rounder was mind boggling - compared to today where players are wrapped up in cotton wool and have central contracts.

Ian Botham in 1980 took 13 wickets and scored a hundred in a test match v India in Bombay. The first cricketer to ever achieve it. No matter how great Sobers was, he never did it or Miller. Khan, Dev or Hadlee all came later, much later. Furthermore, after that Jubillee Test Match in 1980, Botham returned to England and severely injured his back in a pre season game at the Parks. His bowling was never the same again. Although he could still be great. That certain magic was gone. That he bowled with that back, that broken back was testament to the man and his incredible resolve. Whenever, I hear all this crock about Imran Khan. How many hundreds did Imran score in Test cricket. How many catches did Imran take. Botham at his peak was the true all round cricketer. Finest fast medium swing bowler in the world in 1979/80, best second slip fielder in the world for ten years and the biggest hitter and most exciting batsman in world cricket. 14 Test hundreds for goodness sake!

@Brez6645

4 жыл бұрын

Well said - he was for a short period in the late 70s the number 1 bowler in world cricket and broke many records. This in an era featuring some of the greatest fast bowlers in history. It's easy to forget how good a bowler he was when you watch footage of his later career.

@biotechemboy

4 жыл бұрын

Botham was great surely. Kapil and Imran were performing all rounders while leading as captains with almost a billion people's expectations for a good portion of a decade. Botham's captaincy was short lived and his performances were all when he was not the captain!

@Brez6645

4 жыл бұрын

@@biotechemboy I think it's fair to say that captaincy was not Botham's greatest forte.

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

You forget that the opposition was not that great . I happen to think that Botham was Englands best all rounder. But he was not as great as Sobers a far greater bat and a much more versatile bowler. Botham was a very good fast medium baller for a few years than lost a lot of his zip. and was very lucky or the opposition was rather weak. As a bat he could be very destructive but even that fell away. Botham did not do very well against the strongest sides like the west Indies or Pakistan. Keith Miller of Australia was a much greater all rounder who I would put up there with Sobers . Imran Khan, was a much more destructive baller than Botham . Best medium fast baller of all time probably Bedser after the war balled Bradman 4 times and Maurice Tate before the war. Botham was lucky because his great performances had TV exposure that was not around when some of the many great players from 150 years of Cricket were around. He did have the charm and modesty of Miller or indeed Sobers . Greats like Miller lost 6 of his best years flying Mosquitos as a night fighter pilot during second world war.

@vantheman1238

Жыл бұрын

@@biotechemboy he did great for leukaemia though didn’t he. What a star of a human being. His walks and the money raised have saved so many lives. What an all-rounder eh

"Then there was a Sunday ... exactly. Bring back rest days.

@MrWhitmojsherpa

3 жыл бұрын

No.

A true gentleman.

That innings he played at old trafford was just simply breath taking and incredible entertainment . The best 2 hours ive ever seen on cricket pitch.

Childhood heroes at high school summer 81. Botham Willis. Also the brilliant commentary, Benaud, Laker, Martin-Jenkins. also 86-87 down under he had a great series.

@stevenjohnston2263

4 жыл бұрын

Laker the best ever commentator. Listening to the awful shower that inhabit the commentary boxes these days is depressing.

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

@@stevenjohnston2263 yes miss Arlott Truman et el

What Ian and Bob did to lift English spirits in that match must deserve a couple or statutues somewhere important. It was unforgetable to watch. Great blokes both.

Ian is one of the best cricketers of all time

watching again- so emotional

What is remarkable about this program is the Ian Botham fundraiser not the cricketer. Amazing what he has done for the Leukemia charities. Amazing man.

Good that Bob Willis is speaking in this, although Botham got them the lead, without Willis' spell England would not have won

@charlesdale5965

4 жыл бұрын

Don't forget Graham Dilley's 56. At one point he was outscoring Botham and that catch on the boundary.........

@catchmeifyoucan8684

4 жыл бұрын

@@charlesdale5965 true. Totally agree👍

The greatest Test Series by one player in modern cricket history

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you said modern Cricket been around for 150 years .The hype has been inflated because it was of TV media which was not around for many of the other great performances in the history of cricket.

Ian Botham, a great cricketer, a great man, I guess an ordinary man, which makes him an extraordinary person. Keep going, Ian Botham, don't ever stop.

Wanting the Bob Willis documentary now.

Botham,Willis the ashes 1981 pow,have some of that Australia ,have watched this so many times as good as it gets

Wonderful cricketer charisma of his present was unbelievable there’s a only one Botham that was Ian Botham

sadly i never saw Botham at his prime,i fell in love with cricket in the 90s ...though Botham is to my opinion England`s greatest ever cricketer.

@Mango62uk

5 жыл бұрын

I highly reccommend "Fire in Babylon" - about the great Windies team from the 70-80s. Botham & Viv Richards !

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

no he was not there are many who did not have the media exposure in 150 years of cricket he was a lucky player often getting people out with poor balls . He did not do very well against the best teams at the time west Indies and Pakistan. Hammond Hutton Compton Hobbs Truman Bedser May were all far greater Players and modest , unlike Botham who was often rude arrogant not respecting the greats before him. He lacked a lot of charm modesty and could be very unpleasant.

@blackfox658

2 жыл бұрын

What about joe root as english best cricketer?

Today, England go to make the Ashes series a contest and hopefully make the series 2-1 with a win at Headingley. That would set up another amazing climax to what has to be one of the best sporting rivalries there is in the world for any sport. I was 12 in 1981, getting into cricket and Ian Botham played a big part in that. Watching him single-handed take on the Aussies, with not insignificant contributions from the likes of Bob Willis (RIP) and Graham Dilley (RIP) just inspired me to go down to my local club and try to emulate him. A lot of people have forgotten that Mike Brealey came back into the England side as captain, and was in large part the genius that allowed Botham to flourish when the shackles of captaincy were released.

the greatest Ashes performance ever

Great doco. Will add that he held the world for most test wickets for 2 years.

Watching in 2019! Awesome documentary and the soundtrack is right on ball!

@eddyvideostar

4 жыл бұрын

At 18:00 minutes: This proves that all police in England should carry guns and tasers. They cannot afford to display farcical fervency to extinguish the fire of the furious.

@rezwanzahid2971

3 жыл бұрын

Dear!!songs name plzz?i will be greatfull

The pitch invasions were legendary aswell back in the day.😉

SIR IAN BOTHAM A TRUE ICON OF THE CRICKETING GAME. I PLACE HIM IN THE TOP FIVE ALL ROUNDERS OF ALL TIME & HE DONE SO MUCH FOR CHARITIES TOO.

@coldacre

4 жыл бұрын

WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING NORMAN

@normanosborne7367

4 жыл бұрын

@@coldacre WHAT DO YOU MEAN COLDACRE YOU HAVE ME VERY CONFUSED? WHATEVER YOU SEE & READ IS JUST AN OPINION. THERE'S NO SHOUTING IN WHAT I'VE WRITTEN SO LIGHTEN UP YOURSELF. BLESS UP.

@macman975

4 жыл бұрын

Capitals Norman. Typing in CAPITALS GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU ARE SHOUTING

@mattiemclean9882

4 жыл бұрын

@@macman975 I think Norman is unaware of his SHOUTING CAPITALS!

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

well yes a great all rounder The top 5 would be Sobers Keith Miller Jack Kallis Imran Khan Botham in that order.

CMJ's comment when Botham walked to the wicket at Headingly 2nd time around. Perfect!

I always thought Botham was an àrsehole. I felt sorry for his wife and children. Empathy helps understand the trials he went though in his early years. But being the ‘lad’ isn’t always the answer. His children have turned out as wonderful grown ups. He certainly redeemed himself with his charity work. Well recovered Beefy

His career bowling stats put him right up there with the best bowlers in history. Batting on the other hand is more middle tier. No doubt one of the games greatest all rounders.

@iankemp8535

4 жыл бұрын

Yes that is fair one of the games best all rounders certainly Englands but not the best in world . Sobers by quite a long way Keith Miller Imran Khan a better more lethal bowler Miller a much greater Bat and a great fast baller who like Botham could turn a Match much more frightening than Botham Jack Kallis allrounder as Bowler and Bat has far better averages as does Sobers.

Larger than life person

Sir Ian ....always a gentleman .....

My favourite English cricketer! ... even if he could occasionally break this Aussies heart with his talents!

Don't you love that Botham didn't wear a helmet in those days, despite facing Lillee, Lawson and Alderman.

@Mango62uk

3 жыл бұрын

Not just Botham, most other batsmen. I can recall facing those fast bowlers, without helmets, in my schooldays and it was frightening, then.

@simonedwards3457

2 жыл бұрын

Don't forget the boys from the Windies!

@terranceparsons5185

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mango62uk sir Viv of course, never ever wore a helmet, never needed one he had a bat in his hands

@Mango62uk

2 жыл бұрын

@@terranceparsons5185 Check out "Fire in Babylon" documentary about the glory days of the Windies team and how they came to dominate the sport. The fast bowlers shown on film are beyond intimidating.

A topman with a big heart. Beautiful soul.

Best documentary by faarrrrrr!!!! Absolutely goat of the game!! ❤️❤️ Sir Ian botham!! 🐐🐐

I'll never forget THAT game, one of the most amazing things I've ever watched. This documentary tells the story very well. And some fantastic musical choices.

@joshlock4627

2 жыл бұрын

No - Langer and Gilchrist against a great Pakistan attack.

@goodlife6145

2 жыл бұрын

@@joshlock4627 I'll have to check that out.

I.T. Botham perhaps the greatest all rounder i've ever seen since Gary Sobers

Sir ian botham, what a fantastic person, a real bloody champion, a total gentleman, you were a great cricketer, you are a inspiration to all, thanks for the memories...

He was Flintoff before Flintoff. Built like a huge bear. All-rounder. Boundary pounder. Big bad Beefy Botham. Brilliant.

@randyborstol2491

10 ай бұрын

he was bazball before bazball

Because Beefy will happily say "that's what I think of your selection policy, yes I've hit the odd copper, yes I've enjoyed the old dooby....’

@goodlife6145

3 жыл бұрын

But will you piss off and leave me alone, I'm walking to John O'Groats for some spastics. So, that's....

Put 2 fingers up to the establishment, we all need a little of that. He made life interesting.

@Isleofskye

4 жыл бұрын

Partly why I voted Brexit. We have had, literally, decades of them xxxxing all over us...

@dmlewey

4 жыл бұрын

@@Isleofskye On November 1st, you will still find them in charge. Get real.

@Isleofskye

4 жыл бұрын

The salient point is that The Establishment wanted us to say and on November 1st we will be gone.....

Historic “Roy of the Rovers” scenario, and I got to see it

As a 16yr old I remember watching this on TV. And yes David Icke with a perm and not talking about lizard people. Ahh the good old days.

That Gatting LBW in the second innings was a shocking umpiring decision, easily missing leg stump

A legend indeed - IAN BOTHAM

Got my love of cricket back..

I remember watching this from Australia. I felt sick to the stomach by that last day at Headingley. I often wondered how that happened and then I saw David Icke commenting on the match. Of course. It was a CONSPIRACY.

I never knew his story. What a man.

Ben Stokes is indeed a great all-rounder as was Andrew Flintoff for England. However comparisons of greatness don't really work very well. Even in Flintoff's time the game had changed so much compared to Botham's day. However, if you do want to compare careers, e.g. statistics, Botham scored 14 test hundreds and took 5 in a test innings no fewer than 27 times which was the world record for a short while. He also held the test wickets tally world record for a little while there too. He took 10 or more wickets in a test match on 4 occasions. Good they they were and are respectively, Flintoff and Stokes don't really compare with Botham as genuine consistent front line wickets takers for England, even though Botham wasn't consistently as quick as either of them. His ability to swing the ball both ways late and more or less at will was something else.

Simply one of the greatest

Absolutely brilliant video thanks. Tom.

@Mango62uk

4 ай бұрын

Always nice to see great comments like yours. Cheers.

There was some fine cricketers in that side,Willis,gower,dilley, bob taylor, in fact it was a team performance but the stars of the show was bob Willis r.i.p. and beefy

Great era, great guy(s) and great memories. Thank you Both, DIG, Dylan, Viv and Joel (cool dude). Enjoyed this very much.

Sir Ian Botham a true legend of both Cricket and human life, as a kid when I watched him back in India he was a style icon too … I mean no one looked more stylish and flamboyant than him ever.

“Ian Botham took 5 wickets for 1run”.

@dmlewey

4 жыл бұрын

Absurd isn't it.

@soumyashreebiswal14

3 жыл бұрын

Ikr

The Greatest All Rounder ever.

Top Man ........Ian Botham 🤘 Loved Bob Willis!

Saw him in the 80s at the SCG as a young kid. Loved his character. Certainly gave us a run for the money. One of the absolute greats.

@randyborstol2491

10 ай бұрын

Very similar to Warney. When he came on to bat or bowl - things would happen. It was like suddenly you were watching a new and different game. Both had a sheer force of personality. Getting 5-41 at the MCG on Boxing Day 1986 where he was trundling in with injury was legendary. Getting the great Alan Border out with a long hop or has Botham would say with his grin 'my slower ball' lol