Ian Botham

In the episode, Sir Ian Botham offers a spirited defence of cricket, arguing strongly against recent claims that the sport is inherently racist, misogynistic or elitist. He dismisses a report by the Independent Commission for Equality in Cricket—alleging systemic issues within the game—as “nonsense” and contends that the findings are overly generalised, pointing to anonymous sources and lacking accountability. Botham reveals he literally threw the report on the floor, describing it as a waste of...

The bitter rivalry between Ian Chappell and Ian Botham spans five decades. For the first time since the infamous fight that started it all, the two Ashes icons come face to face.

This extensive video transcript is a comprehensive oral history and reflection of a legendary cricketing career, underscored by personal anecdotes, career highlights, challenges, and contributions beyond the sport. The narrative primarily revolves around the journey of a prominent cricketer—his early life, entry into professional cricket, key matches, leadership roles, struggles, and eventual legacy. The speaker recounts moments of triumph and adversity in Test cricket, including encounters with...

That Man Botham is a one-hour retrospective produced by ITN in 1988, presented by newscaster Leonard Parkin. The documentary charts Ian Botham’s career up to that point, beginning with his early steps in county cricket and culminating with his established position in the sport by the late 1980s ( IMDb). In capturing the arc of his journey, the film portrays Botham as a larger-than-life figure—often described as brilliant, thrilling, fearsome, scandalous, even self-destructive—but undeniably a...

The summer of '81 saw cricketer, Ian Botham, set the Ashes alight at Headingley when he played one of the most memorable innings of modern times. England were teetering on the brink of defeat in the Third Test against the Australians when Botham came through with a spectacular visit to the crease which sent the high spirited crowds roaring. Spurred on by the enthusiasm of their supporters, Botham and England followed on to win the much coveted Ashes. Richie Benaud interviews Ian Botham...

The BBC documentary Botham: The Legend of ’81 revisits one of the most iconic chapters in cricketing history, when Sir Ian Botham transformed the 1981 Ashes series into a career-defining triumph. At the time, Botham was under immense pressure, having endured a difficult spell as England captain and a prolonged slump in form that left both his confidence and reputation in question. The film traces his struggles leading into the series, setting the stage for what became one of sport’s great...