PETER Jackson’s piece on James Botham as well as his grandfather Ian and Dad Liam sparked a few memories for me and many sports lovers.
James is making his mark as a 19-year-old in rugby and Jackson cited an undistinguished appearance at the same age for his grandfather representing Somerset against Australia for the first time in August 1975. It should be mentioned that Ian was already on the radar after an extraordinary feat of courage as an 18 year-old in his first main year in 1974. After a nasty injury that resulted in lost teeth from a bouncer by West Indian bowler Andy Roberts (Hampshire) in a Benson and Hedges quarter-final tie, a bloodied Botham shrugged this off and took Somerset from likely defeat to victory with a brave 45 not out.
Wales will have a star if James is as good as rugby as his grandfather was at cricket – but he will have done well if he can match what his Dad did in the two codes of rugby.
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