20: India (3/4 home) 1979 and India (2/4 home) 2002

In a drawn match where two whole days were lost to rain, Botham hit 137 out of a total of 270. This was his highest score in tests and remained so until his 38th match, the miracle of Headingley 1981. He went wicketless in India's uncompleted first innings.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63239.html

Botham's first test century in over a year was described by Wisden as the most powerful hitting since Dexter. Wisden's full report is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152179.html


In a drawn game Flintoff hit 33 in England's only innings of 617. He batted 7th, before White and Cork in a strong line-up. He could only muster a wicket in each of India's innings, bowling fourth in their first but opening in their second.

The full scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63998.html

This was Harmison's first test, but will be remembered for Vaughan's 197. Wisden's report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154970.html

19: India (2/4 home) 1979 and India (1/4 home) 2002

In a drawn match Botham took another 5 wicket haul in the first innings as India were dismissed for 96. He contributed 36 in England's only innings. Botham claimed his 100th wicket in this game.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63238.html

The match should be remembered for the 210 stand by Vengsarkar and Viswanath, which saved India from defeat. Wisden's report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152178.html


In his nineteenth match Flintoff managed to pass 50 for only the third time, scoring 59 in the first innings, but only 7 in his second when quick runs were required. He took 2/22 in 19 miserly overs in India's first innings, but he bowled 17 wicketless overs for 87 runs in the second innings. England won the match by 170 runs, after deciding not to enforce the follow-on.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63997.html

Wisden's report on this match, which was Simon Jones' first test, can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154969.html

18: India (1/4 home) 1979 and Sri Lanka (3/3 home) 2002

Botham hit a run-a-ball 33 in England's 633-5 and then took 7 wickets in the match with 5 wickets in the Indian second innings, as England won by an innings and 83 runs.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63237.html

This match was memorable for Gower's unbeaten double century. Wisden's report is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152177.html


Flintoff was unluckily run out for a single by a deflection onto the stumps at the bowler's end in his only innings and returned the expensive match figures of 2/143. England won the match in thrilling fashion; set 50 to win in 6 overs they romped home with an over to spare.

The scorecard can be viewed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63992.html

Despite his disappointing bowling figures, Wisden compared Flintoff's bowling to that of a sledgehammer. The full report can be read below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154976.html

17: Australia (6/6 away) 1978-9 and Sri Lanka (2/3 home) 2002

Botham had a relatively quiet game, scoring 23 runs in his only innings and taking 4 wickets in the match, although he didn't bowl in the second innings. England won the match by 9 wickets and completed a 5-1 series win against the old enemy.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63225.html

Bizarrely Australia were allowed to use the old ball in England's second innings of 34-1. Wisden's report is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154357.html

Flintoff had a second disappointing match of the series, scoring 29 in his only innings batting at 7. He was only given 5 overs in Sri Lanka's first innings and six in their second and took only two wickets. This raises serious questions about his position in the team, he was batting too low to considered a batting all-rounder, but was given too few overs to be considered a bowling all-rounder. Perhaps at this point Flintoff was the Ashley Giles of his day!

Flintoff's talents were not required as England won by an innings and 111 runs. The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63991.html

According to Wisden Flintoff was incorrectly given out caught behind. The full report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154975.html

16: Australia (5/6 away) 1978-9 and Sri Lanka (1/3 home) 2002

Botham hit another 50 and took 5 wickets in the match as England cruised to another easy victory, this time by 205 runs.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63224.html

This game should be remembered for Bob Taylor's match winning 97, his highest test score. Wisden's report is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152184.html


Flintoff could only manage 12 runs in his only innings and returned the disappointing match figures of 2/119. After following-on England mustered a huge 529-5 declared to save the game. Flintoff was fourth to bowl in the first innings, one behind Cork, but opened in Sri Lanka's second innings.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63990.html

According to Wisden, after the first day Fletcher had harsh words for all the bowlers, except Flintoff. The full report can be viewed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154974.html

15: Australia (4/6 away) 1978-9 and New Zealand (3/3 away) 2002

Botham scored his first 50 since his memorable 108 against Pakistan at Lords five matches before, helping England to a 93 run victory.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63223.html

The match was memorable for a stunning England come-back, which Brearly rated as the best of his career so far, as Australia squandered a 142 first innings lead. A truly precient comment. Wisden's report is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152183.html


Flintoff took six wickets in the match, but could only make 29 runs in the game, his second innings duck helping England to snatch defeat from the jaws of a draw. The experiment of playing test matches under floodlights, which allowed New Zealand to square the series, would be abandoned.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63983.html

Wisden's report can be viewed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155007.html

14: Australia (3/6 away) 1978-9 and New Zealand (2/3 away) 2002

Botham took 6 wickets but could only manage 32 runs as Australia took full advantage of being able to bat first on a wearing pitch by registering their only victory of the series at Melbourne, by 103 runs.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63222.html

Hogg took ten wickets in the match. Wisden's report is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152182.html

Flintoff's form with the bat continued, with a 75 in England's second innings. However, he could only manage a single wicket from 26 overs. The match ended in a draw, which England had the best of.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63982.html

13: Australia (2/6 away) 1978-9 and New Zealand (1/3 away) 2002

A rare quiet game for Botham, taking no wickets and contributing only 41 runs in match that England won by 166 runs.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63221.html

Gower scored his first century against Australia in this match. Wisden's report is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152181.html


Like Botham, Flintoff turned his first fifty into his first century as he followed a first innings duck with 137 in his second innings. England won the match, but Flintoff's innings was overshadowed by Astle's double century in New Zealand's brave effort for a seemingly impossible 550, which fell 99 runs short. Astle hit the fastest ever 200, going from 100 to 200 in only 39 deliveries.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63981.html

Wisden's report, which waxes lyrical on Astle's innings, is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155005.html

11: Pakistan (3/3 home) 1978 and India (2/3 away) 2001

In a match ruined by rain, Botham managed to take 4 wickets in a game where only 17 fell.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63213.html

This game will be best remembered for the weather. Wisden's report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152147.html


Flintoff failed with the bat and took only 2 wickets in a drawn match, which England arguably had the best of. He openend the bowling in India's first innings, but was bowled fourth in India's second, where he was only permitted 8 overs out of a total of 97. Suggesting that he was under bowled.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63962.html

Flintoff's technique against spin was dismissed by Wisden as hopelessly unsubtle. Their full report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154979.html

12 Australia 1978-9 (1/6 away) and India 2001 (3/3 away)

Botham delivered a solid all-round performance with 6 wickets and 49 runs in his only innings, as England ran out winners by 7 wickets. Yallop scored 100 in his first match as Australian captain, but Australia's first three batsmen (Wood, Cosier and Toohey) contributed only 29 runs in the match, which ended up being the difference between the two sides.

The scorecard is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63220.html

Wisden's report is accessible below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152180.html


Flintoff failed again with the bat, with a duck in England's only innings. However, he managed to take 4/50, opening the bowling in India's only innings and was named man of the match. England secured a first innings lead of nearly a hundred, but with no play possible on the last day and only 16 overs bowled in the fourth, the game was drawn.

The scorecard is available below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63963.htmle

This game wil be remembered for the controversial dismissal of Vaughan, out handled the ball when it was going nowhere near the stumps. Wisden quote Hussain as diplomatically admitting that he would have appealed 9 times out of 10. The full match report is available below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154980.html

Hussain used negative tactics to try and bridge the talent gap between his bowlers and batsmen like Tendulkar, leading the more sensible reporters to demand that umpires call more wides in test cricket.

10: Pakistan (2/3 home) 1978 and India (1/3 away) 2000-01

With a century and 8 wickets, all in the second innings, this was Botham's match, which helped to forge his reputation as a player who could win games virtually single-handed.

Botham's 8/34 was the best for an England bowler since Laker's 19 wickets in 1953; although he would take 8 wickets in an innings again (in his 70th test) he would not better this bowling performance. The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63212.html

The 1979 Wisden described Botham as the greatest find since Walter Hammond.
Wisden's report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152146.html


Flintoff marked his return to the England team with a disappointing performance and was powerless to prevent a 10 wicket Indian victory. He scored 22 in two innings and bowled 34 wicketless overs.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63961.html

Flintoff began a rift with Ganguly in this game, which never seems to have healed. Their altercation is described in Wisden's report below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154978.html

9: Pakistan (1/3 home) 1978 and West Indies (1/5 home) 2000

Although Botham had a quiet match with the ball, he excelled with the bat with a score of exactly 100 in England's only innings. Botham was beginning to cement his reputation as a genuine all-rounder.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63211.html

This match will be remembered for Chris Old's 4 wickets in 5 balls and for the injury to nightwatchman Iqbal Qasim, who was on the receiving end of a Willis bouncer. Wisden's match report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152145.html


Flintoff was to be dropped following this innings defeat to the West Indies. Scores of 16 and 12 and only one wicket simply weren't enough to avoid the selectors' axe. His domestic form would ensure selection for the winter tour to India.

The scorecard for the first test of this enthralling series can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63888.html

Walsh and Ambrose combined to torment England's batsmen for a final enthralling series, which would end in an historic 3-1 victory for the home team. Wisden's report on this match can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153889.html

8: New Zealand (3/3 home) 1978 and Zimbabwe (2/2 home) 2000

Botham's first 10 wicket match helped England to a 7 wicket victory and a 3-0 series whitewash. He contributed 22 in his only innings, confirming the view that in his early career Botham was a bowling all-rounder.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63216.html

This was Emburey's first test. Wisden's report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152150.html


Flintoff could only manage a pair of 16s and no wickets in ten overs in a drawn match, which Zimbabwe, and the weather, had the best of.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63884.html

Wisden's report, which can be accessed below, concluded that Flintoff lacked the nous required for Test cricket. Domestic unrest at home and a shameful state controlled selection policy was poised to envelope Zimbabwian cricket.
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153789.html

7: New Zealand (2/3 home) 1978 and Zimbabwe (1/2 home) 2000

Botham's talents with the bat were not required, as his 9 wickets helped England to a victory by an innings and 119 runs.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63215.html

On the third day the game was interrupted for bad light after only two deliveries had been bowled. The match had been started and in those days that meant the pitch was left uncovered until conditions improved, much to the benefit of the home team. Wisden's match report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152149.html


Flintoff contributed a single run and bowled only three overs, as England thrashed Zimbabwe by an innings and 209 runs. Their most comfortable victory for over 25 years.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63883.html

Wisden's report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153788.html

6: New Zealand (1/3 home) 1978 and South Africa (4/5 away) 2000

A quiet game by Botham's standards as England began a one-sided three match series against New Zealand with a comfortable 7 wicket victory.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63214.html

This match will be remembered for Gower's first test hundred. Wisden's full report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152148.html


A broken toe, whilst bowling in South Africa's only innings, ended Flintoff's involvement not only in his 6th test, but also for the rest of the tour. Unsurprisingly he contributed little to England's cause, which ended in an innings defeat for his country. He hit 22 in his only innings, batting at 8, and could only manage 4 wicketless overs in South Africa's single match winning score of 421.

The scorecard for this game can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63863.html

In this match Hussain was given out LBW to a ball that he hit for four without it making contact with the pad. The Umpire was BC Cooray, whose poor umpiring would allow Hussain to make a match winning century in Kandy in March 2001. Proof perhaps that these things do even out in the end. Wisden's match report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153783.html

5: In New Zealand(3/3 away) 1978 and South Africa(3/5 away) 1999-00

Another fine all-round display from Botham with a 50 in England's only innings and a 5 wicket haul in a drawn 6 day match, which was frequently interrupted by rain and bad light.

The scorecard can be viewed below
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63205.html

Wisden's report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152157.html


Not for the first time in his 5 match England career, Flintoff failed to shine in an improved performance by his country. Flintoff scored 5 in his only innings (part of an England collapse of 26 runs for 5 wickets) and took only 2 wickets in the match. England dominated the game until, after following-on, South Africa made a mammoth 572 for 7 in their second innings to draw the match.

The scorecard can be viewed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63862.html

Gary Kirsten made 275 in 878 minutes, the second longest innings in test history. Wisden's report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153782.html

4: In New Zealand(2/3 away) 1978 and South Africa(2/5 away) 1999-00

Botham gave his first great all-round performance, described as "spectaculor" by Wisden where he took 8 wickets and turned his first fifty into his first century in England's first innings:

See below for the full scorecard
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63204.html

There were two notable run outs in England's second innings. Chatfield's controversial run out of Randall whilst he was backing-up at the non-striker's end has since been overshadowed by the run out of Boycott. In his autobiography Boycott merely states that the story appears to get more outlandish with each telling. Botham's autobiography, naturally published years later, states that he deliberately ran out Boycott on the order of Bob Willis the vice-captain, because quick runs were required. Whatever the truth it should be noted that Wisen's report, which can be accessed below makes no mention of this incident.
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152156.html


Flintoff's fourth test was against South Africa at Port Elizabeth in December 1999. He gave a solid performance, perhaps justifying his selection for a combination of his batting and bowling, but certainly not either/or; not yet.

He was only given 7 overs in South Africa's first innings of 450 and he took 2 wickets for 31, suggesting that he was under-bowled. He scored 42 runs in the first innings, which included four fours in five deliveries off Pollock. However, he only managed 12 runs in the second innings when the situation required solid defence. Despite this England managed to hold on for a draw.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63861.html

This test will be remembered for a series of umpiring errors from Rudi Koertzen, for which he had the moral courage to apologise for. By mistakenly giving Kallis not out, when Adams had taken a catch cleanly, the third umpire highlighted the difficulties in using replays to rule on disputed catches.

Wisden's match report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153781.html

3: In New Zealand 1978 (1/3 away) and South Africa 1999-00 (1/5 away)

Botham's third test was played in Wellington in February 1978 and was a disappointment for him and for England who lost against New Zealand for the first time. The victory margin was 72 runs, in the 48th match between the two countries. Botham only made 26 runs in his two innings, although he took 4 wickets in the match for only 40 runs, suggesting that he was under-bowled.

The score card for this match can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63203.html

Wisden's match report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152155.html

There was over 15 months between Flintoff's second and third tests. His third test was the first in the 1999-00 series against South Africa. Flintoff's 38 was the highest in England's dismal 122 all out in their first innings. He made 36 in the second innings but went wicketless in South Africa's 403-9 declared and England slumped to a defeat by an innings and 23 runs.

The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63860.html

This was Michael Vaughan's first test and is memorable for Donald's 11 wickets in the match and the fact that England were 2-4 at one stage in their first innings. Wisden's match report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63860.html

2: Australia 1977 (4/5 home) and South Africa 1998 (5/5 home)

Botham's second match was against Australia at Headingley where England continued their dominance and Botham continued his fine form with the ball if not with the bat. He took the second of his 27 five wicket hauls as Australia followed on and lost by an innings and 85 runs. However, Botham had a match to forget with the bat as he registered his first duck, whilst batting at number 8. He was injured in the Australian second innings, after bowling 17 unsuccessful overs.

Botham's injury kept him out of the final match of the series, which England won 3-0 against an Australian side divided by the Packer revolution. Botham admits in his autobiography that his start in test cricket was assisted by the absence of the Packer rebels from the test arena.

The scoreboard can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63193.html

This match will be best remembered for Boycott's 100th first class century in front of his home crowd. Wisden's match report can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63193.html

Flintoff's second match was also at Leeds against the South Africans and he also registered his first duck and then his first pair. He only bowled 12 ineffective overs in the game, but England won the match by 23 runs, completing an incredible comeback to win the series 2-1.The scorecard can be accessed below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63808.html

This was a match for Flintoff to forget but for every England fan to remember as England won their first five match series in nearly 12 years. See below for the Wisden report:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153343.html

This match will also be remembered for a host of controversial decisions and the South African manager Ali Bacher later referred to it in Cronje's match fixing trial where he suggested that Pakistani umpire Javed Akhtar had made corrupt decisions. Whilst there is no doubt that the South Africans genuinely felt cheated, this reflected the closeness of the match and the fact that overall South Africa had played the better cricket in a series they ultimately lost. Bad decisions were made, but they favoured neither side.

1: Australia 1977 (3/5 home) and South Africa 1998 (4/5 home), Their Test Debuts

Botham's first match was against the Australians at Trent Bridge, which started on 28 July 1977, coincidentially the same year Flintoff was born. England won this match by 7 wickets and Botham burst onto the world stage with the first of his 27 five wicket hauls in the Australian first innings. At one point he took 4 for 13 off 34 deliveries, to give England the ascendancy on the first day. This match is perhaps best remembered for local boy Derek Randall's selfless sacrifice of his own wicket to allow the well-set Boycott to continue his match winning innings.

The full scorecard for Botham's first match can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/engine/match/63192.html

The match report can be accessed below:http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152108.html

Flintoff's debut was also at Nottingham on 23 July 1998. England won the game by 8 wickets, a game best remembered for the duel between Donald and Atherton in England's second innings. Unlike Botham, Flintoff made an inauspicious start to his test career. He took only one wicket (Kallis) and scored only 17 runs in his single innings, although Wisden described it as "a cameo of power and impetuousness" and he had recently made the headlines for bludgening 34 off one over; portents of things to come.

The full scorecard for Flintoff's first match can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/engine/match/63807.html

Wisden's match report can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153342.html