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12/07/2007

Never give in

In 1981, Dennis Lille (Australia) and fellow team mate - as a joke - backed England to win the the 4th test at Headingly.

The bet was placed a few days into the 5 day test, and such was Englands blight that the odds on an England win were 500-1.

Superb batting from Botham (149 not out) - along with dogged batting from the lower order batsmen (in particular Graham Dilley - a real Marcus like rabbit under usual circumstances) - combined with inspirational bowling from Bob Willis and again Botham, delivered the most exciting test of all time.

The result was an England win by just 18 runs - litterally against all odds (500-1 to be exact).

Its not often that you get odds of 500-1 in a 2 horse race, and even less often that the outsider then wins. However, w
inning againts the odds makes fantastic cricket and heroes of those who play.


By Sheridan Leigh




Click on image to enlarge..
Bob Willis always battled hard
Botham was a gritty individual