The life of Botham

Cricket fans disappointed by England's recent lack of success can bask in some nostalgic glory in Ian Botham's new book, My illustrated Life

It may be hard to credit now, but when Bruce Springsteen signed his first record deal with what was then CBS Records many at the firm referred to him as “the new Bob Dylan”. It was a tag that US record companies had applied to almost every young, male singer songwriter who appeared after Dylan.

A similar shadow has been cast over any young England cricketer able to perform with both bat and ball, especially if they also show a little aggression in the process. “The new Ian Botham” has been something of a cursed phrase that has dogged every England all-rounder  from David Capel onwards, right up to the arrival of Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff. A disappointing winter and a late-night adventure on a Pedalo in the Caribbean may have taken some of the shine of Flintoff’s crown, but Flintoff still has the ability to raise the spirits of an England crowd the way his illustrious predecessor did.

Base it may be, unfair it almost certainly is, but few outside the game can recall with much clarity the leisurely, graceful batting of David Gower or the awkward, just about to be out slogging of Graham Gooch. But everyone can recall Botham’s powerful slogging to win the match at Headingly in 1981 to turn around what has since become “Botham’s Ashes”. Perhaps it’s in the nature of an all-rounder to claim a greater share of the glory or capture the public’s imagination.

For those whose memories of the great man are beginning to fade, a new book out this week should help. Ian Botham, My Illustrated Life, covers all the key moments of a career that included more highs than a night out with Pete Doherty.

In Bombay against India in the 1979/1980 series, he became the first player to score a century and take 10 wickets (in total he took 13 in the match) and later became the first player to hit 5,000 runs and take 300 wickets.

And who can forget his attempts to take the world of football by storm, when he played for Scunthorpe? Since retirement he has barely been out of the public eye whether as a cricket pundit on Sky or for his high-profile charity stunts.

Ian Botham, My Illustrated Life is published on 31 May 2007 by Cassell Illustrated.