Top 10 Ashes innings in recent history

Seldom has an object as insignificant as a burnt urn held so much importance as a historical sporting event. The Ashes, one of the most sought after rivalries of the game, unfolds a new chapter in July when Australia visit England with the aim of retaining the coveted urn. This year’s Ashes marks the 10th anniversary of the 2005 series, one of the most riveting and enthralling series in a 133-year timeline.Although a clash of two countries, various stories of individual brilliance have highlighted the Ashes over the years. Here’s a list of the 10 finest knocks in the Ashes in recent history.

#1 Ian Botham - 149* vs Australia at Headingley, 1981

 

Epitomizing his devil-may-care attitude, “Beefy” became part of Ashes folklore courtesy of a brutal counter-attacking century in the third Test at Headingley, Leeds. England were in dire straits at 105-5 when Botham strode to the crease, trailing by 122 runs even after the follow on.

Taking the game by the scruff of the neck against an attack comprising of Dennis Lillee, Geoff Lawson and Terry Alderman, Botham raced to his ton off only 87 balls, helping England to a total of 356. The 129-run lead proved to be sufficient in the end as Australia were bundled out for 111 with Bob Willis finishing up with breathtaking figures of 8 for 43. Marking the 1981 Ashes series as his own, he went on to score 399 runs in the series and took 34 wickets at an average of 20.