Boisterous Botham blasts Australia’s hopes of retaining Ashes

Press, 4 August 1981, Page 30

Boisterous Botham blasts Australia’s hopes of retaining Ashes

NZPA correspondent

Birmingham “In affectionate remembrance of Australian batsmanship which fell terminally ill at Headingley, 21st July, and breathed its last at Edgbaston, 2nd August, 1981. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. R.1.P.”

Such was the mood in this Midlands city yesterday after Australia had surrendered the fourth test to England. It was like being at a funeral. The depth of despair in the Australian quarters was every bit as morbid as that which moved Shirley Brooks to write the mock obituary notice which gave rise to the myth of the Ashes 99 years ago. The Australian attempt to achieve a target of 151 runs for victory was so faint-hearted that' even the most jingoistic of Englishmen felt sympathy.

There was a subdued air about both Mike Brearley and lan Botham as they met the cricketing press afterwards. It was as if they didn't want to intrude upon a wake. In the press box. where at Headingly even the heavy broadsheet merchants forgot their dignity and whooped like Red Indians at the fall of each Australian wicket, the atmosphere was the same. Silent wincing, and muttered condolences for those whose accents were less rounded. The loss of the third test at

Headingly when England recovered from a first innings deficit of 227 was so uplifted by Botham’s astounding innings of 149 not out that it was impossible not to enjoy a great occasion, even if you were an Australian. ’ Botham was the man who did it again by taking the last five wickets for one run in the span of 28 deliveries, Australia were bowled out for 121. It was 10 runs more than they made when chasing a slightly smaller target at Headinglev but the shame was far, far greater. There was nothing about the wicket

which test batsmen should not have been able to deal with. Only Allan Border,' who top scored with 40, could blame his dismissal on the pitch. He got a ball from -John Emburey which spat cobra-like out of the roughs and carried from his bat handle to short leg. Brearley called it unplayable, and the turning point of the match. The remainder of the batsmen were apparently stupefied by the atmosphere as the crowd roared Botham on ‘and on to another memorable performance.

Kim Hughes was chastened and sombre when asked to explain how it had happened. “We didn't deserve to win the way we batted," he said. The scoreboard: ENGLAND First innings: IB!) Second innings: 219 AUSTRALIA First innings: 258 Second innings .1. Dyson lbw Willis 13 G. Wood lbw Old 2 A. Border c Gatting b Emburey 40 K. Hughes c Emburev b Willis ', . . 5 G. Yallop c Botham b Emburey 30 M. Kent b Botham 10 R. Marsh b Botham 4 R. Bright lbw Botham. ... 0 D. Lillee c Taylor b Botham. 3 R. Hogg not but 0 T. Aiderman b Botham ... 0 Extras (bl lb2 nbll) 14 Totals 121 Fail: 2, 19, 29, 87. 105, 111, 114, 120. 121.

Bowling 0 M R w R. Willis 20 6 37 2 C. Old 11 4 19 T J. Emburey 22 10 40 2 I. Botham 14 9 11 5