Published 11:56 IST, August 28th 2019
Ben Stokes is the 'Special One' for England cricket, says Botham
Ian Botham anointed Ben Stokes as English cricket's 'Special One'. Ben Stokes' unbeaten knock secured England an unlikely one-wicket win in the third Test.
Ben Stokes keeps receiving accolades after his astonishing match-winning innings in the third Ashes Test against Australia. Ian Botham anointed him as English cricket's 'Special One'. Until Stokes lit up Headingley on Sunday with his series-saving 135, Botham's titanic 149 not out in the second innings of the 1981 Test against the Australians had been the benchmark. A full 28 years later, Ben Stokes' unbeaten knock secured England an unlikely one-wicket win in the third Test, and in the process kept the Ashes alive by leveling the series at 1-1.
Ian Botham on Ben Stokes
Ian Botham, who is chairman of Durham where Stokes plays his county cricket, told the Daily Telegraph, Stokes's bold performance against the odds had earned him the special sobriquet.
"He is the 'Special One' and I intend to call him that for the rest of his career," said Botham, 63. "He wants to be the best. He wants to be in the oven.
"He wants to be in the hottest place in the kitchen and he wants to take them all on. That is his character." Ian Botham added.
Botham's innings in 1981 after England had to follow on, transformed the outcome of the match as it did the rest of the legendary all-rounder's life. Ian Botham asserted that Ben Stokes' life will never be the same. He added that Stokes will have less private life and he needs to get used to it along with his family. The iconic all-rounder has said that Ben Stokes' career is good for him to stick around for a long term as it will prove valuable in the years to come. "He will reap the rewards which he richly deserves and he is now a world, box-office attraction," said Botham.
Ben Stokes talks about his life outside the ground
Stokes, writing in the Daily Mirror, said he does not expect life outside the sport to change too much, saying his wife Clare, a school teacher, and two children, six-year-old son Layton and daughter Libby, four, are his rock.
"Clare has been brilliant and so supportive throughout the years," said the 28-year-old all-rounder, who was born in New Zealand but moved to England at the age of 12.
Stokes has said that he can't wait to go back home and have some family time.
"I just cannot wait to be back home for five days and cut the grass. I love playing cricket, but you need to be able to get away from the game and that is where your home and your family keep you grounded." he said
Ian Botham recalls his days on the field
Botham who also picked up six wickets in his first innings in the 1981 Test against Australia, and a half-century in England's terrible first innings, it would still not compare to his and Stokes's performances. He said that the game circumstances are different, adding that even the conditions and pitch varied. However, Ian Botham is glad to have witnessed the game.
"I was just delighted to have witnessed one of the greatest events in cricketing history."
Updated 14:12 IST, August 28th 2019