Memories of the 1981 Ashes as Sir Ian Botham sells collection at auction
04 July 2023 England cricketer Sir Ian Botham is selling souvenirs and memorabilia from his international and club career at an auction on July 15. The sale is being conducted by Knight's Auctioneers of Norwich in the long room at The Kia Oval, Surrey's home ground. Bidding is also available via thesaleroom.com.
The battered cherry Ian Botham used to take five wickets for one run to inspire England to victory 1981 Ashes test at Edgbaston. It is expected to sell for £15,000-25,000 when Knight's Auctioneers sells the Sir Ian Botham collection on July 15.
The famous all-rounder is parting with over 240 items at the sale including those relating to ‘Botham’s Ashes’, the 1981 series when his heroics with bat and ball made him a household name.
The stump ‘Beefy’ ripped out of the ground after the miraculous win at Headingley comes for sale along with the red ball he used to take five wickets for one run to inspire England to victory in the next test at Edgbaston.
Botham joined Somerset County Cricket Club aged 13 after he was noticed while playing at school. He made his senior debut aged 17.
Between 1977 and retirement in 1992, he played in 102 test matches, scoring 5,200 runs including 14 hundreds and taking 383 wickets.
Auctioneer Tim Knight said: 'We believe the sale will make £150,000 but with Lord Botham's name carrying that magic dust and the sale taking place during the Ashes it could go for more.
'He is one of cricket's greatest players, and England's greatest all-rounder in terms of statistics alone, and that is even without taking account of his massive on-field presence, entertainment value and 'never say die' personality.'
The Duncan Fearnley stump, which has been marked in ink 'Headingley 81' by Botham, is valued at £12,000-15,000 and the Edgbaston cherry is tipped to fetch £15,000-25,000.
However, the sale includes many more affordable mementos from Botham’s career with most lots from match-worn jerseys to man-of-the-match awards, estimated at under £500.
The sale comes as England are facing Australia once more in the 2023 Ashes series. So far, despite Botham-like heroics from the current England captain Ben Stokes, the Aussies are 2-0 up.
Knights’ sale of the Sir Ian Botham collection includes souvenirs given to the all-rounder by fellow cricketing greats such as Viv Richards, Wasim Akram. This Australia 'baggy green' cap was given by former Australian captain Allan Border. It is estimated at £3000-5000.
Botham retired following the 1992 World Cup in Australia. This England blue one day top he wore for his swansong, is estimated at £600-900 at Knights.
Botham joined Somerset County Cricket Club aged 13 after he was noticed while playing at school. He made his senior debut aged 17. The cap he wore for much of his playing career with the club is estimated at £1500-2500.
This packing trunk used by Ian Botham during the England tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1982-83 has an estimate of £100-150. Decorated with MCC colours, it is inscribed Australia and NZ 1982/83 to the lid, and IT Botham to the front.
Bookmakers were offering odds of an England win at 500-1, when Ian Botham walked to the crease in the second innings at Headingly in 1981. This Duncan Fearnley stump that he tore from the ground after an unlikely victory is estimated at £12,000-15,000 at Knights Auctioneers.