Ian Botham was knighted for his contribution to cricket and charity work, in a culmination of a life's work. He has been a larger than life character both on and off the field, a peoples champion with a never say die attitude. Who will ever forget Headingley 1981, a match that saw him return to form and centre stage after a stint as England captain where his form had suffered. I was at the ground at Lords in the previous Test match and remember that long walk to the pavilion after his second duck in the match and his subsequent resignation as captain. It made his achievements at Headingley even more special and amazing to his many fans.
The many charity walks for leukaemia and cancer research required an amazing level of physical endurance but they were as important to him, if not more so, as any success on the cricket field as they saved life's. The £10 million he has raised has contributed to the fact that the survival rate has risen from 20% when he started to a staggering 80% today. He will no doubt continue until the success rate is 100%.
I grew up idolising Ian Botham and followed his career closely. I still remember meeting him for the first time as I queued up for an autograph and still remember the time he took after a hard days play to give time to his fans. He made such an impact on the game internationally and he had a following all round the world as people loved to watch him play as he brought the game to life in his own unique way.
He was a colourful character off the field, living life to the full which was well documented in the media, but that was all part of the man and who he was. Everyone has flaws and makes mistakes but it is how you deal with them and come out of them that is the real test.Botham showed that he was human and that added to his appeal.
Ian Botham was a hero to me as cricket is an essential part of life for me and watching him play always gave me such pleasure and is probably one of the reasons for my love of the game. He richly deserves the honour which is long overdue and you can see that he is rightly proud to be the recipient of the Knighthood and why not.
Take a bow Sir Ian.
8 comments:
Agreed!! His charity work is just as admirable as those hook shots in his playing days. Very good article!! Amar
Thanks Amar,he remains a hero and an inspirational figure for me.
Beefy, the only handful of English greats of the last quarter of last century amongst Gower, Boycott and Gooch, but his contribution stands tall than this players. Better batsmen than remaining 3 contemporary allrounders of his era, he was a delight to watch on TV, i remember his famous chicken dance in WC'92 on dismissing young Tendulkar. I think his greatest contribution came in the moment of greatest desparity for him when he was snubbed as skipper failing to win any test of 12 as skipper, in 1981 Ashes.....
Now his voice is the best amidst the English (England's) commentators, way better than Gower, Lloyd (he is a singer than a commentator) or Hussain.
BTW what happened to Bob Willis, is he dumped out of Sky team ?
I think we were lucky to have 4 great all rounders of the highest quality at the same time. It may never happen again. Botham certainly left a mark and was a winner in every sense.
Bob Willis has a side role now with Sky, coming on the highlight shows.I think Atherton and Holding are very good on the team as well. My voice of cricket will always be Ritchie Benaud who sadly no longer commentates over here.
Richie Benaud is a legend. Hope we get to listen him in the year end tour of Australia.
Is Indian community in england excited abt coming test series?
Yes they will be out in force to support the team.It will feel like playing at home for India. The atmosphere at the one dayers is very good,all of which are sold out as are most of the Tests.
The best atmosphere thou in recent years was the ashes 2005, I have never seen anything like that before.
Thats a welcome change since the fans home in India are pessimistic and least hopeful of a good show, which nevertheless would happen.
Yeah 2005 Ashes was rocking, esp the Edgbaston Test, one of the greatest ever Test. I felt hard for Kaspo and Lee when Kaspo edged the Harmison bowl to Jones.
That was awesome series.......
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