The Australians under Kim Hughes toured England in 1981 for a 6 Test series. Single Tests are often dubbed after players, but this 1981 series has gone down in history simply as "Botham's Ashes".

Having been 1–0 down after two Tests under Ian Botham's captaincy, England recalled Mike Brealey as skipper after axing Botham who had laboured out of form and had no wins to show in his 12 tests as skipper. England won the next three Tests to finish 3–1, thus retaining the Ashes after remarkable performances by Ian Botham.

The drama started in the 3rd Test at Leeds with the visitors on the verge of wrapping up an easy win as England were forced to follow on 227 runs behind. Ian Botham swung lustily in England's second innings for 149 to make Australia bat again A fired up Bob Willis then swept through their line-up with 8-43 to seal a remarkable 18-run win against the odds.

The 4th Test at Edgbaston contained another inspired comeback victory as Botham took five for 1 to deliver a narrow win by 29 runs. In the 5th Test at Old Trafford, Botham smashed a hundred in 86 balls as England retained the Ashes.

Key Performers

• Ian Botham (England): 399 runs @ 36, 34 wickets @ 20 – unforgettable match-winning innings (149* at Headingley) and devastating spells (5/11 at Edgbaston).
• Bob Willis (England): 29 wickets, including 8/43 in the Headingley miracle.
• Kim Hughes (Australia): 362 runs, Australia’s most consistent batsman.
• Terry Alderman (Australia): 42 wickets @ 21, brilliant swing bowling throughout.

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