England news

Durham keen to sign Adil Rashid, says Ian Botham

Jul 27, 2018: Ian Botham has welcome Adil Rashid's Test recall, calling him the best spinner in England

The Ashes 2017-18

Trashes to Ashes: England find the calm before the storm

Nov 21, 2017: Given their imperfect preparation, England are probably just about as well-placed as they could be going into the series

Run-ins with the law

Cockatoo deaths, property scams and drunken brawls

Sep 27, 2017: Lots of cricketers have got in trouble for various off-field issues. Here's a colourful selection

County news

Durham 'should be compensated' over player drain

Sep 21, 2017: Sir Ian Botham has reiterated his call for counties to be compensated for the loss of home-grown talent, warning that the ongoing drain of senior players from Durham could have a devastating long-term impact

England news

Strauss defends selectors after Botham criticism

Sep 20, 2017: Ian Botham is "100% wrong" if he believes Paul Coughlin was lured to Nottinghamshire by promises of England selection, according to Andrew Strauss

County news

Botham rails at system as skipper Coughlin opts for Notts

Sep 19, 2017: Sir Ian Botham called for the ECB to give greater rewards to counties to offer greater rewards to counties producing first-class players through their academy system after Paul Coughlin rejected Durham's offer

England v West Indies, 1st Investec Test, Edgbaston

'If I'm saving all my wickets for Australia, I don't mind' - Broad

Aug 20, 2017: It wasn't the most memorable haul Stuart Broad will ever take, but he called the three wickets he bagged to pass Ian Botham's tally as "really special"

How England went from being jokes to jocks

Jun 1, 2017: After over two decades of being clueless about one-day cricket, England are finally owning the format

County news

'It is a challenge but I will rise to it' - Botham unveiled as Durham chairman

Feb 27, 2017:

How dared they?

Jan 11, 2017: An appreciation of captains' innovative declarations, bowlers' bold tactics, and batting feats that no one expected

County news

Chairman Beefy takes the hot seat at Durham

Nov 3, 2016: Ian Botham has been unveiled as the new chairman of Durham, a beleaguered county that can only benefit from his roistering attitude to public life

I played a great

'Botham hit it hard, but Viv hit it harder'

Sep 4, 2016: When a part-time club spinner bowled long hops to the two biffers to see how far they could hit it

England in South Africa 2015-16

Stokes 'better than I was at 24' - Botham

Jan 8, 2016: Ian Botham has hailed Ben Stokes' "enormous potential" and suggested he may be a better player than he was at the same age

1979

When Sunny made 438 look gettable

Sep 5, 2015: Had India pulled off a remarkable victory at The Oval in 1979, Sunil Gavaskar's 221 would be up there as the greatest Test innings

1981

Beefy's 28-ball Ashes broadside

Aug 8, 2015: Ian Botham had had a quiet match at Edgbaston in 1981, until he was summoned into the attack for one last burst at the Australians

The Investec Ashes 2015

England search for inspiration in latest Ashes saga

Jul 6, 2015: The Ashes remains the contest that defines careers. This is the series that will be remembered - can be remembered - long after a player has finished

The Investec Ashes 2015

Flat pitches will aid Australia - Botham

Jul 4, 2015: Ian Botham has warned that England will be "playing into Australia's hands" if flat pitches are prepared for the Investec Ashes

England's swinging shooting star

Apr 17, 2015: The boy from Burnley with magic in his wrist has surpassed all before him - with luck we will be able to enjoy his skill and application for a few more years yet

India news

Botham 'should get his facts correct' - BCCI secretary

Sep 5, 2014: The BCCI has criticised former England captain Ian Botham's comments on the Indian Premier League, saying the latter needed to get his facts right.

MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture

IPL should not exist - Botham

Sep 3, 2014: Ian Botham used the platform of his MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture to brand the IPL "too powerful" for the good of cricket and said he believed it should not exist