5. Botham’s Ashes

In 1981 Ian Botham became a national sporting hero.From the depths of despair after being sacked as England captain, he fought back to lead a remarkable resurgence. All while playing some of the most scintillating cricket the game had ever seen.In this episode you'll hear from the key protagonists of one of English crickets finest moments. Botham himself explains how he managed to transform his mindset after being unceremoniously stripped of the captaincy.His replacement as captain, Mike Brearley, reveals how he used his training as a psychologist to recapture the best from Botham. Bob Willis takes us into that incredible game at Headingley, the turning point for the series, and England batsman Mike Gatting recalls how Botham found a cheeky way to rub salt in the wounds of the Australians - by commandeering their champagne.

Om Podcasten

It’s more than just a sporting contest. It’s the pride of two nations, where victory couldn’t be sweeter, but defeat is the bitterest taste of all. It’s a rivalry that transcends sport and creates true heroes and villains. This is Legends of the Ashes, hosted by lifelong cricket fan and current Marylebone Cricket Club President, Stephen Fry. This podcast series will delve deep into the stories that make the England versus Australia rivalry one of the greatest there is. Relive incredible matches and history-altering moments with new, revealing insights from cricketing royalty including Lord Botham, Sir Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and modern-day heroes such as James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steve Smith. Legends of the Ashes is written by ‘The Analyst’ Simon Hughes and produced in collaboration with Goalhanger Podcasts.