Switchblade Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 http://cricket.expressindia.com/news/thanks-to-england-i-can-now-walk-with-my-chin-up-botham/832614/ London: Former captain Ian Botham today revealed he was always at the receiving end of banter from fellow commentators because of England's poor performance but with the hosts becoming the number one Test team, he can now feel very proud of being an English. There were times when I would arrive at grounds all over the world to commentate and be given short shrift by my fellow pundits from rival countries. They would enjoy a bit of mickey-taking and old-fashioned banter because my team were being soundly beaten on a regular basis, said Botham. Even though I hoped things would change, they did not for a long time. I'd have to leave grounds out of a back or side door to avoid abuse from the crowds (both English and opposition)- as they vented their frustrations or laughed at another poor performance by our boys. But that has all changed and for the first time since the rankings began we are Ž*officially the best Test team in the world, he added. One of the finest all-rounders of all time, Botham feels England's ascendancy to the number one status is about the home team's brilliance rather than India's listless performance. England are No.1 for a reason, they have been magnificent now for more than two years and their success should run and run. They will never get bored ŽÂ¿ no one gets bored of winning, said Botham. I don't want to hear how poor India have been or how world cricket is at a lower standard than ever before. There was nothing poor about Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh chasing down 380-odd two-and-a-half years ago. Nor was there anything poor about Dale Steyn & Co giving it everything they had just over a year ago, he said. England have earned the right to be No.1 and they have done it by playing the best cricket. It is not about other's failings, it is about England's brilliance. And thanks to the best team in the world, I can walk in and out of grounds with my chin up and my chest out, he added. The 55-year-old English icon said England's reign at the top will last for at least a few years if not more as undoubtedly they are the best side in the world now. I believe they have been on top for a while with the sort of cricket they played in Australia, and I don't need a table to tell me how good a team is in comparison to others, but now it is in black and white. There is no more debate to be had; they are the best. The only question to be asked now is how long will they stay at the top. I have no doubt that it will be for at least a few years, if not for the sort of time enjoyed by the great West Indies and Australian sides of their eras. That type of record is a long way off and it will take some doing to get themselves into that category, he added.
pinkfreud Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 So his self esteem banks solely on England's performance on the field and an official ranking system? What a loser. He seriously needs a life. P.S: Wasn't he one of the kooks decrying the whole ICC ranking system when English cricket was pathetic back then? Whatever happened to that stance now?
TheWall Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Enjoy ur time beefy - but dont forget the address to the backdoor - u will need it soon...
Stuge Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 what will he do when they will loose number 1 ranking .he will surely end his life then lol
TheWall Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 what will he do when they will loose number 1 ranking .he will surely end his life then lol remember he said that he'll eat his hat if kapil breaks the world records of sir richard hadlee's highest test wkt taker... same thing will happen ... he'll end up with an egg on his face.. until then let him have some fun...
King Tendulkar Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 The rankings are a farce aren't they Botham? When all India were No 1 for 2 and half years, all and sundry slammed rankings. Now England are No 1 the rankings are brillinat and England are without doubt No 1 in the world!
Guest Gunner Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 I would take the mick out of beef more for this whingin' interview than his team losing.
wobblydoggy Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 So his self esteem banks solely on England's performance on the field and an official ranking system? What a loser. He seriously needs a life. P.S: Wasn't he one of the kooks decrying the whole ICC ranking system when English cricket was pathetic back then? Whatever happened to that stance now? Rubbish! As a long suffering English cricket fan I totally understand where he is coming from
pinkfreud Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Rubbish! Ahoy there, sweetheart. As a long suffering English cricket fan I totally understand where he is coming from Mkay.
wobblydoggy Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Ahoy there, sweetheart. Mkay. :yay: From a supporter of the best test team in the world in sympathy to one who is going to suffer in the coming years:haha:
pinkfreud Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 :yay: From a supporter of the best test team in the world in sympathy to one who is going to suffer in the coming years:haha: ? Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm not the wrist slitting kind. In any case, I think you're deviating from the thread topic.
Dhoni_fan Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Never used to care about other teams results in other series would just watch to see good cricket, but now I am right behind South Africa when they play Australia and Lanka just so they can take the number 1 spot off England Asap also want Lanka to hammer them at home. Cricket isnt even close to being a national sport here so these comments show more insecurity on Botham's part than anything else!
wobblydoggy Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Never used to care about other teams results in other series would just watch to see good cricket, but now I am right behind South Africa when they play Australia and Lanka just so they can take the number 1 spot off England Asap also want Lanka to hammer them at home. Cricket isnt even close to being a national sport here so these comments show more insecurity on Botham's part than anything else! Botham made them on the basis of him as a cricket commentator
pinkfreud Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 these comments show more insecurity on Botham's part than anything else! That, and hypocrisy. He's been thrashing the ICC ranking system for years, but it doesn't matter anymore because England are now #1 in Tests. So suddenly, the Test rankings have become the be all and end all of English cricket for him. Cricket isnt even close to being a national sport here Oh, it may as well be :cantstop: who even watches hockey anymore...?
wobblydoggy Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 That, and hypocrisy. He's been thrashing the ICC ranking system for years, but it doesn't matter anymore because England are now #1 in Tests. So suddenly, the Test rankings have become the be all and end all of English cricket for him. Oh, it may as well be :cantstop: who even watches hockey anymore...? This and all your posts regarding England reek of one and one thing only. Sour Grapes. Botham is critical of the ICC as many of us are for its impotence on so many issues
pinkfreud Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 This and all your posts regarding England reek of one and one thing only. Sour Grapes. Botham is critical of the ICC as many of us are for its impotence on so many issues What does any of this have to do with the point I made about Botham's sudden U-turn on the ICC ranking system? Stop trying to bait and troll at the drop of a hat.
wobblydoggy Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 What does any of this have to do with the point I made about Botham's sudden U-turn on the ICC ranking system? Stop trying to bait and troll at the drop of a hat. And you can show me these comments?
Sachinism Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 And you can show me these comments? "Forget the rankings designed by men with computers who believe that logarithms can tell us who is playing the best cricket more accurately than we can see with our eyes? added the former English skipper.
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