Ian and Viv at Somerset CCC

The end of the season at Somerset and an award for Viv Richards

Ian Botham and Viv Richards play for Somerset in the Dry Blackthorn Challenge Trophy against South Africa. As captain, Botham’s England side lost in 1980-81 to the West Indies before the Ashes of 1981. Botham was appointed match-by-match and his form dipped dramatically. England lost the first Test against Australia and at the second Test at Lord's Botham made a pair being out for nought in both innings.

The captaincy was given to Mike Brearley. Botham came back in the next three Test matches and England retained the Ashes. Botham was voted Sports’ Personality of the Year. He remained an international cricketer until 1992 and captained Somerset in 1984 and 1985, retiring from playing in 1993. He received an OBE in 1992 and a knighthood in 2007. He became a cricket commentator as well as continuing with his charity work. Viv Richards made his first class debut in 1972 for Leeward Islands and joined Somerset CCC in 1974 and had his Test match debut playing for the West Indies that year against India in Bangalore. He captained the West Indies cricket team from 1984 to 1991. Botham and Richards formed a strong bond.