Botham's Ashes

The story behind Ian Bonham's heroics in the 1981 Test Series against the Australians is to in this one-hour documentary. Award-winning producer/director Ken McGill, who brought the nation the fly-on-the-wall documentary on Graham Taylor¹s demise as England manager, tracked down the key protagonists to bring the definitive story of that summer 20 years ago.

The programme charts how Botham went from the despair of losing the England captaincy to national hero with an innings of swashbuckling greatness; how captain Mike Brearley masterminded a famous victory using the ultimate man-management techniques and the most astute tactical brain the English game has ever seen.

McGill also talks to England fast bowler Bob and three of the Australians at the centre of the action. The defeat had a profound effect on skipper Kim Hughes, who tells how his emotions got the better of him and how he coped with the reaction from the media and public back in Australia. Fast bowler Dennis Lillee talks about how he and keeper Rodney Marsh won £7,500 between them as they backed England at 500-1, and former captain Allan Border

reflects on how, as a young batsmen, he learnt from setback and returned stronger for the experience.

Production Company : Sunset+Vine