Ian Botham - A Wicket Life
By Patrick Duffy

Ladbrokes the bookmakers had placed odds of 500-1 on England and the entire country wished that they had invested a tenner on the Poms when they saw Botham blazing away.

Such was the counter-attack by Botham and Dilley that in 80 minutes they put on 117 runs with Dilley getting 56. Chris Old added another 67 runs with Botham in the next 55 minutes.
Such was the ferocity of Botham's hitting on that Monday afternoon, that the Aussies were forced to keep seven men on the boundary.

Botham's heroics in a desperate situation, with an unbeaten 149 had helped England to a total of 358, setting Australia a victory target of 130.

Botham got the first wicket, that of Greame Wood. Bob Willis did the rest and got 8 for 43 to give England an amazing victory by 18 runs. It was only the second time in test match history that a side following on went on to win the test match.

England won the ashes 3-1 and such was Botham's influence in the series that the series (1981) came to be rechristened 'Botham's Ashes'. His hit in the second innings of the test at Old Trafford is regarded as his best; he progressed from 28 to 100 in just 37 minutes. The knock was enough to deflate the Aussies.

He was born on the 24th of November 1955 at Heswall in Cheshire. Botham was interested in many sports but it was cricket he chose and he began his career with Somerset. He made his test debut against the old enemy Australia in the Ashes of 1977.

In 102 tests 'Beefy', as he was affectionately nicknamed by friends and contemporaries, scored 5,200 runs at 33.54 including 14 centuries and took a then world's record of 383 wickets at 28.40. He was always an athletic catcher, snapping up 120 victims.

Probably the most charismatic cricketer in the history of England cricket, he had boundless energy, an all-consuming enthusiasm, a flop of unruly hair and a devil-may care generosity. He was one of the greatest all-rounders that cricket had or will ever see.

Cricket Coaching at Railway Union
By David Carroll


Railway Union Cricket Club is delighted to announce that Conor Mullen and Ian OÕHerlihy have been engaged as our Youth Coaches and Development Officers for the 2004 Season. As our numbers have increased, it is now felt necessary to engage two full-time coaches to supervise and co-ordinate our Coaching and Match Programme in addition to promoting cricket in Star of the Sea B.N.S. Sandymount, as well as being available to other local schools in our Community on request Both Conor and Ian play cricket at the highest level in Leinster. Both will work closely with the Leinster Cricket Development Officer, Brian OÕRourke.

Sport can have a very powerful and positive influence on young people and should provide opportunities for both enjoyment and achievement. Through sport, young people can develop valuable qualities such as leadership, confidence and self-esteem.

These positive outcomes can only be achieved by providing coaching of the highest standard and that will be the aim of the Club at all times, so that our members can enjoy sport within a safe and secure environment. We also aim to provide them with positive sporting experiences that will enable them to achieve their true potential.

Our Coaches will adhere to the Code of Ethics and Good Practice as established by the Irish Cricket Union.

Coaching Times: Coaching will commence on Sunday April 18th at 11.00am for all age groups and abilities and will continue each Sunday morning. (Please note that there will be no coaching on May 30th)

The following are the midweek times from Easter to June: Tuesdays : 3-4pm U-9s; 4-5pm U-11s; 5-6pm U-13s Wednesdays : 3-5pm U-13s only Thursdays : 3-4.30pm U-9s; 4.30-6.00p.m. U-11s The Under-15s are encouraged to attend Senior Coaching Cricket Camp: A Cricket Camp, conducted by Railway Union Coaches and open to all boys and girls from 6-15 years will commence on Wednesday, June 30th at 2.00pm (until 5.00pm) and continue on Thursday and Friday July 1st and 2nd from 10.00am-3.00pm The cost per participant will be €25. Railway Union Cricket Club, Park Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4.