Headingley heroes

No Test venue in the country can boast a greater number of thrilling battles at international level than Headingley and when it comes to a showdown with the Aussies perhaps nothing in the history of these epic encounters can compare with what happened between July 16-21, 1981.

That was when Ian Botham and Bob Willis became heroes of the nation by batting and bowling England to a Test victory which had seemed virtually impossible at tea-time on the fourth day.

England's astonishing triumph by 18 runs was the first this century by a team following on and only the second such result in the history of Test cricket.

Wisden said of the dramatic events: "The transformation occurred in less than 24 hours after England had appeared likely to suffer their second four-day defeat of the series.

"Wherever one looked, there were personal dramas: Brearley, returning as captain like England's saviour; Botham, who was named Man of the Match, brilliant once more in his first game back in the ranks; Willis, whose career has so often heard the distant drums, producing the most staggering bowling of his life when his place again seemed threatened."

Never have England appeared more down and out than at the stage in this Test match when, following on 227 behind, they stared into the abyss at 135 for seven, still 92 behind.

So certain were the bookies of England getting thumped that they famously offered odds of 500-1 against a home win - odds which came tumbling down as Botham began to smash Australia's bowlers out of sight in one of the most incredible innings ever played.

By close of play that night Botham stood on 145 and England were 124 ahead with Australia looking shell-shocked as they made their way off the field.

Botham had started by giving the Aussies something to think about in a stand of 117 in 80 minutes with Graham Dilley, who made a gallant 56, and he then continued the onslaught partnered by Yorkshire's Chris Old who made a sweetly-struck 29 in the ninth wicket stand of 67.

The following morning five more runs were added by Botham and Willis to take their last wicket stand to a priceless 37 before Willis was out for two, leaving Botham unbeaten on 149, with 27 fours and a six.

Now it was Willis's turn to wrap Superman's cloak around his shoulders, but it was a while before he began to bowl like a man possessed.

Australia had reached 56 for one and victory appeared so inevitable that one journalist in a hurry had left the ground and was cruising down the M1 when the news on his radio compelled him to head back.

In a last gasp effort, Willis changed ends to bowl with the wind at his back from the Kirkstall Lane end and he destroyed Australia by taking eight wickets for 43, the best and finest figures of his career.

Botham and Willis were cheered to the rafters by the appreciative Headingley crowd, but even their ovation was nothing compared to the noise and commotion generated four years' earlier on Australia's previous visit to Leeds.

That was the occasion of Geoff Boycott's 100th first class century and the partisan crowd rose as one when the local hero became the first batsman ever to complete a century of centuries in a Test match.

Boycott had returned to the Test arena for the previous match at Trent Bridge after a self-imposed exile from the England side, and his century in that game was followed by his 99th in Yorkshire's match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

The scene could not have been more perfectly set for Boycott to achieve the illustrious landmark on his home ground in a Test match against Australia and it almost seemed pre-ordained that it was about to happen.

On a first morning of blue skies, the crowds snaked down Kirkstall Lane impatient for the gates to open, many there first and foremost to see Boycott score his century.

Dick Williamson, the doyen of Yorkshire journalists at the time, said he had never seen such crowds at Headingley since they flocked to watch Don Bradman bat.

Boycott did not let his admirers down - he rarely did - and the mental picture is still crystal clear of his on-drive at a Greg Chappell half-volley which raced to the boundary.

Even before it hit the fence the great man's bat was raised aloft in acknowledgement of the tumultuous din which greeted his century.

But Boycott, being Boycott, was not content solely with 100 runs. He went on to plunder 191 in an England total of 436 and England were on the way to a crushing win by an innings and 85 runs.

Boycott, Botham and Willis are just three of England's Ashes heroes at Headingley down the years. Will another one be added to the list in the fourth Test at the refurbished venue starting on August 16?