SPECTATOR SPORT
Ave atque vale
Frank Keating
HIS FINAL first-class century was last month, a colourfully mellow whizzbanger against, appropriately, his former mates from Worcestershire. It was followed on the Saturday evening by a famous moon- light feast for both teams and anybody else in earshot in the grounds of his serene and granitey little manor house which dozes in a dip off a hidden-away north Yorkshire village green. Those extended carousing convivialities were themselves followed by a Sunday League match between Durham and Worcester. The barbecue embers had scarcely cooled before the host was padded up and facing the game's first ball at noon.
It cleaned bowled him. A golden duck with a hangover. The latter had never caused the former before. It was time to think of packing up. And now — alas, hail and farewell — he has. The conjunction of Ian Botham and cricket is, simply, unre- peatable.
St George he was for England And before he stayed the dragon He drank a pint of English ale Out of an English flagon.
It was fitting that the cricket world was gathering at Headingley this week. Exactly 12 years ago, on 20-21 July 1981, England won its most astonishing Ashes Test match, against the odds, of all time. The 20th was a Monday. At the weekend, the Bothams had organised a barbecue for both teams. They were then living some miles south, nearer Thirsk. In the early hours of the Sabbath, the 25-year-old host was merrily insisting the cause was not lost, but nobody still standing could agree, for England were following on on Monday morning, 227 behind Australia's 400-odd declared. And, to be sure, by mid-afternoon England's second innings stood at 135 for seven and the decision was made to book out of their hotel.
The rest is legend. England, second innings, 356, Botham 149*; Australia, sec- ond innings, 111, Willis 8 for 43. England won by 18 runs. There was more, much more. Runs, wick- ets, blinding catches. It was not what he got but the way that he got them. From the very beginning. Botham's first county innings was against Lancashire for Somerset 19 summers ago — 8 May 1974. He gawked in at no. 7 and at once hit David Hughes for three clump- ing one-bounce fours, then was caught by David Lloyd at extra-cover going for a fourth. He came back to the splintery old pay. at Taunton cursing — not, as most mortals would, for having been caught, that he hadn't kept the thing on the ground, but that he had not 'hit the ruddy thing higher'.
Next match was against Sussex at Hove. At no. 8, he hit Tony Greig, then Captain of England, for two searing and precocious boundaries before he was out (c. Buss b. Greig) for 26. Mr E.W. Swanton was there for the Daily Telegraph:
Botham, a youthful all-rounder from Yeovil, showed a certain style in making a brisk 26. Botham is taking Cartwright as his mentor a sensible decision to be recommended to other teenagers who have as admirable a model to imitate.
Just over a fortnight later, in the B & H Cup against Hampshire, the boy came in at 113 for eight, Somerset needing 183 to win. He got the 70 needed, losing three teeth to a fuming Andy Roberts after hitting him for 6 — and Charlie Barnett gave him the match award, saying, 'Methinks we'll hear a bit more of you, m'boy.' He was right.
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