From the Ashes ITV4 film about 1981

mike65

8:00pm-10:00pm Thu 29 Nov

From The Ashes is an uplifting and remarkable tale of a summer that changed English sport forever. In July 1981, rioting and discontent ruled the streets of England. On the playing fields, England was 1-0 down after two tests against old enemy, Australia, and iconic all-rounder Ian Botham, had resigned as English captain, hours before being pushed. Watching on was opposing Captain, Kim Hughes, the Golden Boy of Australian sport. Brilliant and eloquent, he seemed to be a master of the universe. With English cricket on the brink, bookmakers offered odds of 500-1 against an English win in the 3rd test. Yet, Botham would not lie down and rediscovered his cavalier flair in a series of remarkable, match-winning performances that defined him and saw The Ashes returned home. Packed with match action and interviews with the chief protagonists - including Botham, Gower, Willis, Marsh, Hughes and more

ah instant nostalgia!

decies

Only nostalgia if Aussies had won,hope they regain it this summer

Skid

mike65 wrote: »

8:00pm-10:00pm Thu 29 Nov

From The Ashes is an uplifting and remarkable tale of a summer that changed English sport forever. In July 1981, rioting and discontent ruled the streets of England. On the playing fields, England was 1-0 down after two tests against old enemy, Australia, and iconic all-rounder Ian Botham, had resigned as English captain, hours before being pushed. Watching on was opposing Captain, Kim Hughes, the Golden Boy of Australian sport. Brilliant and eloquent, he seemed to be a master of the universe. With English cricket on the brink, bookmakers offered odds of 500-1 against an English win in the 3rd test. Yet, Botham would not lie down and rediscovered his cavalier flair in a series of remarkable, match-winning performances that defined him and saw The Ashes returned home. Packed with match action and interviews with the chief protagonists - including Botham, Gower, Willis, Marsh, Hughes and more

ah instant nostalgia!

That game had everything. They will struggle to do it justice in a two hour programme.

It's crazy how Bob Willis' match winning bowling on the final day is rarely mentioned when that match is discussed.

Renno

Good two hours, but not for the normal reasons.

Headingley has been done to death really, and even the other Tests are on ESPN Classic every few months.

Some great interviews though, and especially with the Aussies. Haven't seen an interview with Kim Hughes for a long time, and Rod Marsh was as good value as ever.

Gideon Haigh is fast becoming the pre-eminent historian as well.

One thing Hughes said really stood out. I'm para-phrasing, but essentially he said that for one small period of the 3rd Test, life would have been so different for so many.

Botham may not have gone on to have such a long test career. Brearley would not have been lionised as the tactical genius he has come to be. And Kim Hughes himself could have become one of the greatest Aussie captains of the last 50 years.

If Australia had won Headingley, there is a good chance they would have won the series easily. They won 1982/3 as it was, and would have therefore had a good chance in 1985.

As it was, a carefree innings from Botham (he could have been out at anytime really) started the process by which the careers of Hughes, Lillee, Marsh, Dyson, Bright etc all came to an end, at the same time as elongating the careers of himself and especially Willis, who should have been calling time in 1981, but went on to captain India down under in 82/83.

That's a long way of saying that as an Englishman, I feel quite sorry for Kim Hughes!

TrueDub

Renno wrote: »

especially Willis, who should have been calling time in 1981, but went on to captain India down under in 82/83.

Really? He keeps that quiet when he's commentating! :D

Renno

Not sure where India came from.

I suppose there could have been a top secret deal whereby Willis was sent to India, and England got Monty Panesar's parents in return

Football Gambler

Felt a bit sorry for Kim Hughes watching it, seems like he was doomed from the start as he wasn't part of the Lillee, Marsh clique who believed they stood up to the establishment for the good of the rest of Australian cricket.....