Arise Sir Beefy Botham of the Bat Ball and Wicket!
As Andrew Miller says on Cricinfo, it is richly deserved!
Until now, Botham's solitary honour was the OBE he was given in 1992, at the fag-end of a 15-year Test career that encompassed five Ashes victories, two World Cup finals, and 383 wickets - more than any England bowler, before or since, has mustered. That he threw 5200 runs and 120 catches into the bargain was by-the-by. Botham has a rightful claim to be England's greatest living sportsman, end of story. When you take into account the magnificent charity work that has sustained his appetite for conquest long since retirement, it is little short of a scandal that he has been overlooked until now.
My Grandfather used to join him when he was in his 70s on sections of his long walks to raise money for charity. He always spoke very highly of him as a human being. I am sure he is right.
There may have been other colourful players, but Botham's combination of cricketing skills, drive for success and charity work have not been surpassed.
Thank Goodness Becks and Posh didn't get anything, as had been speculated, before this guy. Talk about a huge potential injustice.
cricket
