I.T. Botham

108

I.T. Botham 108 v PakistanBack to boards

England’s crushing victory over Pakistan at Lord’s in 1978 was spearheaded by a dazzling century from Ian Botham in the first innings.

After England had won the toss and elected to bat first, Pakistan’s attack impressed and reduced the hosts to 134 for 5. But a typical Botham-like performance saw the all-rounder hit 108 from only 110 deliveries and catapult England towards a much more respectable 364 all out.

He set the tone for the spectacular innings right from the outset, pulling his second scoring stroke for six into the Mound Stand. He reached his century in the last over of the second day but his contribution to the match was far from over.

He went without a wicket in Pakistan’s first innings as they crumbled to 105 all out but starred with an incredible 8 for 34 in their second innings, as they were bundled out for 139 and England won the match by an innings and 120 runs. There had never before been such an all-round display in a Test match.