The Test Match of the Century

This illustrated tea towel proudly records England’s victory in the 1981 Australia–England Test series, the first time since 1894 that a Test team had been asked to ‘follow on’ and ended up winning the game. Down 0-1 by the third Test, England’s talented all-rounder Ian Botham made 149 unbeaten runs in the second innings, mostly in boundaries off an experienced Australian attack comprising Dennis Lillee, Terry Alderman, Ray Bright and Geoff Lawson. The innings put England back into the game and their victory was assured when fast bowler Bob Willis took eight hapless Australian wickets for 43 runs.