1981 Ashes series

The 1981 Ashes was a six-Test cricket series in England, won 3–1 by England after Australia took a 1–0 lead.

1981 Ashes third Test: The Headingley Test of 1981, in which England beat Australia by 18 runs after following on. Ian Botham and Bob Willis turned this match into the series' defining comeback.
Ian Botham: An English all-rounder who played Test cricket from 1977 to 1992. His Headingley century and match-winning bowling transformed the series.
Follow-on: A cricket rule allowing the leading side to require its opponent to bat again immediately. England's follow-on deficit at Headingley made its eventual victory exceptionally rare.
Botham's Ashes: The name commonly given to the 1981 Ashes series, highlighting Ian Botham's performances. The label captures how strongly his feats came to define the series.
1981 Ashes fourth Test: The Edgbaston Test of 1981, won by England by 29 runs. England's victory levelled the series at 1–1 after Headingley.
Bob Willis: An English fast bowler who played 90 Test matches between 1971 and 1984. His eight wickets in the Headingley fourth innings secured England's 18-run win.
Test cricket: The longest international form of cricket, played over up to five days between national teams. The series' six matches belong to this format and its multi-innings structure.
The Ashes urn: A small terracotta urn traditionally associated with the Ashes rivalry between England and Australia. The series contested the symbolic prize at the heart of the rivalry.
1981 Ashes fifth Test: The Old Trafford Test of 1981, won by England by 103 runs. The win gave England an unassailable 3–1 series lead.
Mike Brearley: An English cricket captain and opening batter who led England in 31 Tests. He returned to captaincy during the series and guided England through its recovery.

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