A clink of a can against a verandah pole by Lord Ian Botham marked the official opening of the $314,000 multi sports pavilion at Ball Park last Saturday night.
“No ceremony, no pomp here – just give the can a tap” Corowa Cricket Club President Paul Lavis told the great English Test cricket allrounder from 1977 to 1992.
One of the world’s greatest ever cricketers, Lord Ian was enormous on the cricket oval, with highlights of his magnificent career screened for the estimated 270 people seated at the midwicket/cover boundary of Ball Park Oval.
Excellent batting and bowling performances were depicted during his 102 Test Matches which produced 5200 runs at an average of 33.54 and 383 wickets at 28.40; he was captain 12 times during 1980 and 1981.
But a visit to a hospital in the 1980s seeing youngsters with leukaemia (cancer in the blood) convinced Ian Botham that perhaps he could help raise money for whatever could be done to improve the situation.
The ‘Botham Walks’ began in 1986 – some about 1,000 miles – to raise money. “My wife of nearly 47 years Kathy and our daughter Sarah organised it, I just walked. We did 19 walks and raised millions of dollars over the years, with the money going into leukaemia research,” he told Saturday night’s crowd.
“There was a 20 per cent chance of survival with it when we started and it’s now up to 94 per cent.” Applause followed.
In 1992, Ian Botham was appointed an Office of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to cricket and for his charity work, hence the title of ‘Sir Ian’.
‘Sir Ian’ became ‘Lord Ian’ in 2020 after being awarded peerage, joining the House of Lords and he sits as a crossbench (independent) peer. His official full title is ‘Lord Ian Botham Kt OBE’ and he has a nickname of ‘Beefy’.
“I have trouble walking 50 metres these days,” he said. But after two hip operations and a bad left knee, it’s understandable. Not that he’s complaining, far from it as he puts less fortunate people ahead of himself.
Ball Park Oval was described as “lovely”, “beautiful” by Lord Ian and “with a picket fence which every club wants”. “It reminds me of my young cricket days back in England,” he said.
Soon to leave Australia after commentating on the recently completed Ashes Test Series, Lord Ian said he was very disappointed with England’s performances and critical of team selections, especially for the First Test Match in which England’s two best bowlers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, with over a combined 1,000 Test wickets, were not included.
Following the 4-0 series win by the hosts, Lord Ian, who has been Chairman of Durham Cricket Club since 2017, said of the English team and management: “There will be a major review. There will be massive changes, for the better. Three or four players will never play again. They capitulated. It was sad.”
Best mate, West Indian Viv Richards – they shared a house together for 10 years which included time in Somerset cricket days – was the best batsman seen, and in all grades, by Lord Ian (“I got him out a few times, he hit me out of the ground a few times”). He rates the West Indian team in his day as the best team of all time.
“The ‘grandaddy of them all’ Andy Roberts was the best bowler I faced. He knocked four of my teeth out, there were no helmets, Joel Garner (6’8”) was the hardest to cope with but they were all terrific,” he said.
“Alan Lamb was our best batsman – he made four 100s against them.”
Corowa Cricket Club Life Member Jim Eyers loved the night. “It was great – excellent,” the 72-year-old said. There were interesting stories.
“Quite often, at a night like that, you can get some people in the crowd talking in a party mood, but it was silence when Botham spoke. That’s a fair indication as to how well received he was. There was plenty of food and the commemorative stubbie holders look great. It will take a bit for ‘Stumpy’ to top that night!”
MC Robbie Mackinlay was thrilled to be seated beside Lord Ian firing various deliveries down. “It was a great night. He’s one of the all-time greats and it was great that he and Lady Kathy came to Corowa,” he said.
“He lived up to all expectations and did it in good style, didn’t use any bad language. He was a class act. He loved the community.
“It was a privilege to be part of it. When I was with Cricket NSW I was involved with the new facility. To see it all come to fruition from good foresight and planning is marvellous.”
Lord Ian was impressed with the new multi sports pavilion at Ball Park which was built by local builder David Lane, courtesy of a NSW State Government grant via Federation Council, with the application being submitted to council originating from Mr Lavis.
It was Mr Lavis who came up with idea to get Lord Ian to Corowa. It could be said it was the biggest wicket ever taken by the former opening bowler for the Roos who did get 372 A Grade batsmen out.
“I thank Federation Council for allocating the State Government grant to us and the contribution towards the fence,” the president said.
Mayor Pat Bourke of Federation Council attended last Saturday and enjoyed the night. “Federation Council was pleased to be able to select this project as one of the projects via the merger funding,” he said.
“The building looks great and located in a most picturesque sporting environment. I wish all users of the pavilion decades of enjoyment.”
It was Lord Ian’s first visit to Corowa, the nearest he’s been to the birthplace of Federation was in Albury at the 1992 World Cup when England played Zimbabwe at Lavington Sports Ground.
Lord Ian enjoyed his stay in Corowa and was generous with his time meeting and talking to many last Saturday before and after the two long question/answer segments.