Book description
Voted the greatest English cricketer of the 20th century by the fans,
Sir Ian Botham is the English game's one true living legend and his
story both on and off the pitch reads like a Boy's Own
rollercoaster ride.
Born with a natural genius for cricket, Botham began breaking
records with bat and ball from a young age and soon became the man
English cricket expected most from. After a troubled period as
England's captain, Botham rose once again to become a national hero
with his display in the Miracle Ashes of 1981. But, with his
confrontational nature and wild streak, he began regularly making the
wrong kind of headlines. With accusations of drink and drugs, affairs
and ball-tampering, he became hounded by the tabloid pack, never sure
whether they wanted him to triumph or implode. Now a Knight and just
as famous for his tireless charity work, Beefy gives us the definitive
story of his never-dull life and times in his own no-nonsense words.
Sir Ian Botham started his first-class career in 1974 with Somerset,
leaving in protest at the sacking of his friend Viv Richards. He then
played for Worcester (1986-91), Queensland (1988) and Durham (1992-3).
He made his debut for England in 1977 and played 102 tests, including 12
as captain in 1980-81. Since retiring as a player, he has become a
cricket broadcaster for Sky Sports and has set out on a number of
long-distance fundraising charity walks. He has raised more than
£5,000,000 for Leukaemia Research and was Knighted in recognition of
his good work in 2007. When not touring the world commentating, he lives
with his wife Kath in Yorkshire.
