SIR IAN BOTHAM is selling his prized cricket mementos from his glittering career for £150,000.
The cricket legend is parting with over 240 souvenirs, including the stump he took from the ground during the miraculous win at Headingley in the 1981 Ashes series.
Ian Botham is selling off his cricketing souvenirs
The Duncan Fearnley stump, which has been marked in ink ‘Headingley 81’, is valued at £15,000
The ball Botham dismissed five Australian batters with at Edgbaston in 1981 as Australia were could fetch £25,000
He is also auctioning his Man of the Match award from the Edgbaston Test match
The famous all-rounder is also selling the ball that he took five wickets with to inspire England to win the following Test match at Edgbaston.
From that match, he is also set to sell another wooden stump that he claimed after taking the final Australian wicket.
Botham, 67, is also set to part ways with England blazers and caps as well as his Man of the Match awards and his BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement award.
He has made his decision after deciding to downsize and have a clear out.
The items will be auctioned off at the long room at The Kia Oval by Knight’s Auctioneers, of Norwich, Norfolk on July 15.
Auctioneer Tim Knight said: “We believe the sale will make £150,000 but with Lord Botham’s name carrying that magic dust and the sale taking place during the Ashes it could go for more.
“The highlights are definitely the lots associated with the 1981 Ashes, which are known as Botham’s Ashes.
“I believe Lord Botham is downsizing and moving on with his life and he’s kept hold of a few things but you can’t keep everything.
“There’s only so many grandchildren you can share things around to!
“He is one of cricket’s greatest players, and England’s greatest all-rounder in terms of statistics alone, and that is even without taking account of his massive on-field presence, entertainment value and ‘never say die’ personality.”
During the memorable Test series in 1981, Botham resigned from the captaincy with England 1-0 down after two matches.
During the Third Test at Headingley, England had struggled and relied on Botham to bat the side back into the game.
Botham is also parting ways with match worn shirts
And England blazers
He is also selling his BBC SPOTY Lifetime award
He scored a brilliant 149 to give the hosts a lead of just 130 for which the late Bob Willis was able to defend by taking eight wickets in what was one of England’s greatest wins.
The Duncan Fearnley stump, which has been marked in ink ‘Headingley 81’ by Botham, is valued at £15,000.
Whereas his ball from Edgbaston has been backed to fetch £25,000 and the stump from the same game going for an estimated £10,000.
As well as Botham’s items there are also souvenirs that were given to him by other cricketing legends such as Viv Richards and Wasim Akram.
Botham featured in 102 tests for England between 1977 and 1992, scoring 5,200 runs, including 14 centuries and taking 383 wickets.
