Ian Botham

Ian Terence Botham OBE, (born November 24, 1955 in Heswall, Cheshire) (nicknamed "Beefy") was one of England's best-ever cricketers and one of the best all-round cricketers of all time. In a Test career spanning 15 years from 1977, he scored 5,200 runs at 33.54, and took 383 wickets at an average of 28.40. Similarly successful at one-day cricket, he was a Wisden cricketer of the year in 1978.

Related Topics:
OBE - November 24 - 1955 - Heswall - Cheshire - Nickname - England - Cricket - All-round - Test - 1977 - Wicket - One-day cricket - Wisden - 1978

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Whilst his averages suggest he was an average batsman and bowler, they belie his reputation as one of the greatest match winners of the game. He tended to play to extremes, so if Botham played well, he often seemed to win the match on his own.

Related Topics:
Batsman - Bowler

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He was renowned as a big-hitting batsman but with a surprisingly classical technique, and as a fast-medium paced swing bowler. In his later career after a back injury, his pace diminished to no more than a gentle medium, but he seemed to retain the knack of taking wickets regardless.

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