It would be the first time in 9 years that a member of the English cricket playing community would be honored by the Parliament of Great Britain for his outstanding work in public life. As the name of 36 new peers was announced for the House of Lords or the upper house of the Parliament, the cricket community had a reason to be proud of.
The reason was the recommendation of Legendary England all-rounder Ian Botham’s name among those 36 persons selected. He would now become a member of the unelected house. Botham, one of the finest all-rounders of all times is also one of the most vocal Brexit supporters.
The 64-year-old Botham will now sit in the British Parliament as a crossbench — independent — peer.
Only the fifth cricketer to be honoured with peerage
Prior to Botham, former England women’s team captain Rachael Heyhoe-Flint had been awarded the peerage in 2011 and apart from her and Botham, former English Umpire David Sheppard, former cricketing great from England Colin Cowdrey and West Indian legend Learie Constantine had been honored with House of Lords seats earlier.
Botham in his career played 102 Test matches for England between 1977 and 1992. But his moment of glory came in 1981 when inspired by his all-round performance, England recorded a sensational win over Australia in the Ashes.
Botham was knighted in 2007 in recognition of his services to charity and cricket.
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