Ian Botham has earned over £225,000 by selling a selection of items from the 1981 Ashes series. The former England cricket legend auctioned off more than 240 pieces from his esteemed career in 2023.

As England seeks a resurgence in the current Ashes series, fans can draw inspiration from Botham’s historic Ashes triumph with the team over four decades ago. At a previous auction held in the Long Room at the KIA Oval, Botham let go of cherished memorabilia from his Ashes victory.

Notable sales included the red cricket ball used by Botham to take five wickets for one run at Edgbaston, fetching £20,000. Additionally, a stump from the Headingley win in the 1981 Ashes sold for £11,000, and his man of the match medal was purchased for £19,000.

The Headingley victory marked a pivotal moment for the England team, with Botham’s remarkable performance leading to an improbable win with odds of 500/1 against. Botham’s impressive 149 not out set up a target of 130 for victory, supported by Bob Willis’s eight wickets, culminating in a memorable comeback in cricket history.

Botham personally marked the ‘Headingley 81’ stump, which was sold at the auction alongside other items like his player of the season medal, England test blazer, Somerset cap, and a ‘baggy green’ cap gifted by former Australian captain Allan Border.

The auction, organized by Knight’s Auctioneers of Norwich, Norfolk, was initiated by Botham as part of downsizing efforts. Auctioneer Tim Knight highlighted the significance of the 1981 Ashes items, known as Botham’s Ashes, emphasizing Botham’s iconic status in cricket history. Knight mentioned Botham’s decision to part with select items due to downsizing and the sentiment that not everything can be kept, underscoring Botham’s legacy as one of cricket’s greatest players and England’s premier all-rounder.