Legendary cricketer raises funds by selling mementoes from his career, including iconic items from the 1981 Ashes series.

Former England cricketer Lord Ian Botham has auctioned off a range of priceless memorabilia from his distinguished playing career, with items from his famous 1981 Ashes victory among the most sought-after. The sale, held at The Oval cricket ground in south London, featured over 200 items, with many fetching impressive prices.

Among the top-selling pieces was the ball used by Botham to take five wickets against Australia during the 1981 Ashes series at Edgbaston. The red ball, gifted to Botham by the umpire after the match, sold for £20,000. Also attracting significant bids was an original cricket stump from the Headingley Test, marked “Headingley 81” in ink, which went for £11,000.

One of the most prized pieces in the collection was an inscribed “Man of the Match” medal from the 1981 Headingley match, which sold for £19,000, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate. Additionally, Botham’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award from 2004 fetched £3,600.

While the cricketer’s personal memorabilia stole the show, the auction also included a football shirt worn by Northern Irish footballer Sammy McIlroy during the 1977 Charity Shield match between Manchester United and Liverpool. Estimated at £3,000, the shirt sold for an impressive £23,000.

Other items sold included Botham’s Somerset 1st XI cricket cap, which went for £2,700, and a navy blue Test blazer worn by Botham during his England career, which sold for £1,800. Botham decided to part with these mementoes as part of a downsizing effort, marking the end of an era for the legendary cricketer.