'When I became an umpire, I didn't realise how complicated this game was'

Oct 22, 2014: Peter Willey talks about suiting up against '80s West Indies, why it's great to umpire in England, and talking to the press from his bath

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

Half-century of boundaries, and miserly bowlers

Jul 1, 2014: Also, best percentage of hundreds to innings, most frequent appearances on the Lord's honours board, most first-class fifties, and Sanga and Mahela's twin totals

Let us now praise Beefy

Jun 11, 2014: Forty years since he announced his arrival on the cricket stage, Ian Botham remains a symbol of home-grown guts for glory that the current England team lacks

Botham's record, and Somerset's near-miss

Apr 29, 2014: Also, a ton of IPL matches, youngest Australians in World Cups, longest wait for a first-class hundreds, and the Don's lack of fifties

1982

The end of the line for Boycott

Feb 15, 2014: Geoff Boycott largely chose the time and nature of his quitting Test cricket but ruffled feathers in the process

A touch of genius

Nov 19, 2013: As Kevin Pietersen prepares for his 100th Test, he is close to being regarded as a truly great cricketer, England's first since Ian Botham

Ian Botham

'I've never been in awe of anyone'

Nov 2, 2013: Not even Viv Richards. Ian Botham on his first ton, first wicket, and more

Sri Lanka news

Botham, Jayawardene open Murali Cup

Nov 1, 2013: Ian Botham and Mahela Jayawardene opened the 2013 Murali Cup in Kilinochchi on Friday, as the five-day tournament began in five venues across Sri Lanka's northern province

Bruised but not shaken

Sep 2, 2013: Famous incidents when batsmen were hit by bouncers

England news

Botham hails 'terrific' Anderson

May 24, 2013: Sir Ian Botham has added his voice to those praising James Anderson as one of the leading bowlers in world cricket and suggested Anderson will "sail past" his England record.

England in New Zealand 2012-13

More records in sight for Anderson

Feb 19, 2013: With the wicket of BJ Watling in Hamiton, James Anderson became England's leading international wicket-taker and the 'dream' is still sinking in

1978

'I've run you out, you ****'

Feb 9, 2013: The nadir of Geoff Boycott's brief time as England captain came when he was deliberately run out by one of his own side

1985

Botham, Hollywood and James Bond

Jan 26, 2013: When Beefy was told he had the 'looks, build and accent' to be the next 007

Way back when

A thriller turns 30

Dec 30, 2012: Exactly three decades ago today, the classic Melbourne Test of 1982 wound to a dramatic close

Five to do it all

Jul 10, 2012: Allrounders who could bat, bowl and sometimes field their sides to victory

On the road with Beefy

Apr 21, 2012: Ian Botham has been a tireless crusader for cancer research for near on three decades. His 14th charity walk for the cause ends today

1984

Sri Lanka's impressive Lord's debut

Jun 4, 2011: On paper, when England and Sri Lanka met for the first time in England at Lord's in the late summer of 1984, there should have only been one winner ... but Sri Lanka had other ideas

Australia v England, 5th Test, Sydney, 3rd day

Clarke defends Hughes over claimed catch

Jan 5, 2011: Michael Clarke has defended Phillip Hughes against Ian Botham's accusation of cheating and also cleared Ian Bell for not walking to a ball he was later shown to edge