Ian Botham earned over £225,000 by auctioning off his cherished collection from the 1981 Ashes. The former English cricket legend sold more than 240 items from his distinguished career in a 2023 auction.
As England aims for a resurgence in the current Ashes series, fans look to draw inspiration from Botham’s historic Ashes triumph with the team four decades ago. During the auction held at the Long Room in the KIA Oval two years ago, Botham parted with notable items from his Ashes victory.
The crimson cricket ball that led England to a triumph at Edgbaston, where Botham claimed five wickets for one run, was sold for £20,000. Additionally, a stump extracted by Botham after the iconic Headingley win in the 1981 Ashes fetched £11,000, while his personal man of the match medal was purchased for £19,000.
The Headingley victory marked a pivotal moment for the English team over 40 years ago, with remarkable odds of 500/1 for an improbable win. Botham’s exceptional performance, scoring an unbeaten 149 runs to set a target of 130 for victory, and Bob Willis’ eight crucial wickets, orchestrated one of cricket’s most memorable comebacks.
Botham’s personally marked ‘Headingley 81’ stump was among the auctioned items. The 70-year-old also sold the stump from the Edgbaston win for £7,000.
Furthermore, Botham’s player of the season medal fetched £8,000, his England test blazer was sold for £1,800, and a Somerset cap went for £2,700. An ‘baggy green’ cap gifted by former Australian captain Allan Border to Botham was auctioned for £13,000.
Among other items sold was Botham’s England blue day one top from the 1992 World Cup in Australia, which went for £11,000. His BBC SPOTY Lifetime award, received in 2004, was sold for £3,600.
The decision to sell the items was made by Botham, reportedly as part of downsizing plans, according to auctioneer Tim Knight. The auction was managed by Knight’s Auctioneers of Norwich, Norfolk.
Knight commented on the auction, noting the allure of the lots linked to the 1981 Ashes, renowned as Botham’s Ashes. He mentioned Botham’s stature in cricket, highlighting his exceptional statistics, on-field charisma, entertainment value, and resilient personality as key factors in his legacy.