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Memories of Headingley Ashes rivals return to scene of classic encounter
LONDON (Reuters) -- England's most famous Ashes test victory at Headingley was in 1981 when it followed on and beat Australia by 18 runs. Facts and figures from that memorable match: July 16, third test, Australia lead six-match series 1-0. Bob Willis included in England side after convincing selectors he is fit following knee injury. England gamble on Chris Old, leaving out off-spinner John Emburey. Day one: Australian captain Kim Hughes wins the toss, opts to bat. Australia end on 203-3 after a century from John Dyson. Day two: Australia 401-9 declared just before the close, Hughes adding 89 and Graham Yallop 58. Ian Botham, just axed as England captain, ends with 6-95. Day three: England 174 all out, Botham top-scoring with 50 at number seven, Dennis Lillee taking four wickets. England follow on, and lose Graham Gooch to end on 6-1. Quoted at 500-1 to win by Ladbrokes. Lillee and Rod Marsh can't resist a small bet. Day four: England 135-7, Geoff Boycott 46. Captain Mike Brearley packs his gear, then changes back into a cricket shirt for appearances' sake. Botham comes in at 105-5, his golf clubs ready in his car boot. Graham Dilley joins Botham. "Enjoy yourself," says Botham. They hit out and put on 117, Dilley out for 56. Botham then puts on 67 with Old. England 351-9. Day five: England out for 356, Botham 149 not out in 148 balls, 114 in boundaries, putting on 37 with Willis. Alderman 6-135. Australia 130 to win. Botham removes Graeme Wood early. Australia 56-1. Joe Lister, Yorkshire secretary, orders champagne for Australians. Willis, after asking to bowl uphill and into the wind from the Grandstand, asks to be switched to the Kirkstall end. Three wickets fall for two runs to Willis. Old removes Allan Border. Lillee and Ray Bright put on 35 for the ninth wicket. Alderman dropped twice. Willis takes final four wickets, sending Alderman's stumps cartwheeling to end the match and finish with 8-43. Until then, only the second time in history that a team following one had won a test. England drinks the champagne. "I still can't believe we lost," recalls Lillee. "I guess I will never come to terms with it."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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