Ashes hero Ian Botham flogs mementos from his career for eye-watering sum

ASHES hero Ian Botham has sold mementos from his career for more than £225,000.

Botham, 67, parted with more than 240 souvenirs, including a stump, from the 1981 Headingley Test for £11,000 and another from the following victory for £7,000.

The ball with which he took five wickets for one run in that match fetched £20,000 in the sale at The Oval.

Botham is said to be downsizing.

He resigned the captaincy and England were 1-0 down after two matches in the 1981 Ashes series.

The home side were forced to follow on and looked destined for a heavy defeat when he strode to the wicket in the second innings.

He hit 149 not out to set the visitors a modest target of 130 to win.

The late Bob Willis charged in to take eight wickets as England pulled off one of its greatest triumphs.

The Duncan Fearnley stump has been marked in ink 'Headingley 81' by Botham.