Voted the greatest English cricketer of the 20th century by the fans, Sir Ian Botham is the English game's one true living legend and his story both on and off the pitch reads like a Boy's Own rollercoaster ride. Born with a natural genius for the game, Botham began breaking records with bat and ball from a young age and soon became the man English cricket expected most from. After a troubled period as captain, Botham rose once again to become a national hero with his display in the Miracle Ashes of 1981. But, with his confrontational nature and wild streak, he began regularly making the wrong kind of headlines. With accusations of drink and drugs, affairs and ball-tampering, he became hounded by the tabloid pack, never sure whether they wanted him to triumph or implode. Now a Knight and just as famous for his tireless charity work, Beefy gives us the definitive story of his never-dull life and times in his own no-nonsense words.

Author Biography

Sir Ian Botham started his first-class career in 1974 with Somerset, leaving in protest at the sacking of his friend Viv Richards. He then played for Worcester (1986-91), Queensland (1988) and Durham (1992-3). He made his debut for England in 1977 and played 102 tests, including 12 as captain in 1980-81. Since retiring as a player, he has become a cricket broadcaster for Sky Sports and has set out on a number of long-distance fundraising charity walks. He has raised more than GBP5,000,000 for Leukaemia Research and was Knighted in recognition of his good work in 2007. When not touring the world commentating, he lives with his wife Kath in Yorkshire.