5 instances of a team winning after conceding a lead of over 200 runs

4) England vs Australia, Leeds 1981

Botham, Tony Greg and Bob Willis celebrating their team’s victory

Lead Conceded: 227

Result: England won by 18 runs

The third test match of the 1981 Ashes series produced a memorable encounter. A match remembered for Sir Ian Botham’s exceptional all round abilities. A century from John Dyson and fifties from Trevor Chappell and Graham Yallop put the visitors in a commanding position.

The hosts had no reply to Dennis Lillee and Geoff Lawson’s pace as they could only muster up 174 runs, conceding a lead of 227. A fifty from Botham was their only saving grace.

Despite Terry Alderman’s fiery spell in the second innings, the Three Lions chalked up a score of 356 courtesy of another Ian Botham master class. Requiring just 130 runs to go 2-0 up in the six-match series, Kim Hughes’ men felt the wrath of Bob Willis’ terrifying pace and were cleaned up for 111 with the latter picking up eight wickets. England levelled the series at one win apiece.