Barmy Army life and soles of the Headingley party
After 10-year absence, crowd ensure Leeds venue worthy of Ashes Test, writes Tom Morgan
In the shadeless bedlam of Headingley’s raucous Western Terrace, they came dressed as beer bottles, bananas, Geoffrey Boycotts and Dickie Birds. By the end of the afternoon, thanks to the Barmy Army’s new favourite song, they all had bare feet.
“Shoes off if you love Ben Stokes” shouted 23-year-old Tom Burton, leaping up in 31C heat as his hero closed in on fifty shortly before 2.15pm.
The entire crowd was soon with him in full voice, pints in one hand, sandals in the other.
Locals exchanged 38-year-old memories of Ian Botham cracking an unbeaten 149 at this same arena.
Like yesterday, that heroic display had a uniting influence for a country beset by political division and protest. However, unlike yesterday, Beefy’s brilliance – which gave England a 130 lead the day before fast bowler Bob Willis produced career-best figures of eight for 43 – was witnessed by a half-empty Headingley.
Nobody expected that famous Botham innings, and the main drama was played out on Monday and Tuesday due to the now abandoned rest days. Yesterday, however, with 18,000 seats filled by 11am, supporters produced a cacophony of chants that Elland Road would envy. “We felt like we had 12 men,” said England captain Joe Root later. “The crowd were just incredible … electric.”
The beer and Pimm’s were sent spraying into the air at 4.20pm, after Stokes’s winning runs, and England’s match-winner was full of gratitude. He described the scenes as “absolutely deafening”.
“Walking off there at the end when the whole of Headingley was standing up and celebrating was a very special moment and something I had to try to take in because moments like that don’t come along very often,” he said.
Unlike the crowd, Stokes had
been forced to bottle all his emotions. Stokes barely realised he was on 96 and did not show a flicker of emotion when he crunched a pull for four to reach his century in 199 balls.
It sparked a riot in the stands, but England’s key man could not afford to let his emotions show. Afterwards, however, he paid glowing tribute to the crowd for never giving up hope after England were bowled out for 67.
“When there was nothing to cheer about they were cheering,” he said. “I hope the fans understand how much that influences us in terms of where we are in the game. It gives you that extra drive and adrenalin to really push you through.
“You almost want to do it for them, the fact they’ve been here through thick and thin. Getting bowled out for 67 is obviously not ideal but they were still with us.
“To walk off after winning, we can show a lot of respect to the fans Headingley was also the scene of the Ian Botham-inspired win over Australia in the third Test in 1981 in terms of how good they were with us.”
The on-field action was similar to 1981, and yet so much better. Stokes’s remarkable 135 not out was the only way to outdo Beefy on the field, while, in the stands, the delirium was incomparable.
“This tops ’81,” said George Sansom, 54. “And it was so much better than the World Cup final. I feel so lucky to have witnessed Stokes doing that.”
Mark Edwards, 41, from Dursley, Gloucestershire, said: “I was at Edgbaston for the World Cup. They say that place is the lion’s den, but Headingley is a new fortress. The crowd have been wonderful.”
After Stokes’s electrifying century, all four ends leapt to their feet and then never sat down again and the margin was closed down in agonising fashion.
“Come on, England” and “don’t take me home” in the West Stand were interrupted only by the occasional eruptions of ecstasy as the boundary shots kept coming.
This was the day that grand old Headingley so dearly needed.
This was the 25th Ashes Test at this ground, but, after a 10-year hiatus, yesterday was an audition to return permanently to the top table. Fans leaving the ground said its status was assured.
“Thirty-eight years ago was one of my favourites moments watching England,” said Jim Gallagher, 74, from Manchester.
“But the crowd weren’t like this. The young ones should be applauded. They turn up, they behave but they enjoy themselves. They’ve done Headingley a massive favour.”