Support » promises were made that were never

Sir Ian Bothams impending return to Durham as chairman comes 25 years after he joined the county in the twilight of his playing career. The clubs ambition to shake up the first-class scene and its proximity to home convinced the England all-rounder in 1991 that the wrench of leaving Worcestershire after five happy seasons was worth it.It appeared the perfect match… On the upBotham wasnt the countys only big-name player - Australian Dean Jones and Wayne Larkins, his 13-Test England career recently over, teamed up with the likes of Paul Parker and Simon Hughes under the captaincy of David Graveney. It was Botham who stole the headlines, though, and many - including Beefy himself - expected Englands greatest all-rounder of all-time to lead the team after Durham became the first county to be granted first-class status for 70 years. So when Director of Cricket Geoff Cook preferred Graveney as skipper it didnt make for the happiest of starts. Dean Jones: scored 904 Championship runs for Durham in 1992 Instant impactBotham didnt disappoint in the countys maiden County Championship match against Leicestershire at the Racecourse in April 1992. He struck a run-a-ball second-innings century after claiming Durhams first two wickets in the big-time - dismissing Foxes skipper Nigel Briers caught and bowled for 12 before bowling current National Selector James Whitaker for just two on his way to figures of 2-51 off 25 overs. However his swaggering hundred, which featured seven fours and five sixes, couldnt save the new boys from a seven-wicket defeat.Still in the swingBotham would make just one more first-class hundred for Durham in his remaining 24 matches - his batting average for the county eerily echoing his final statistics for Worcestershire in half as many games, but his bowling a fading force. Bothams first-class batting record at Durham Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Highest Average 100 50 Ct 25 40 3 1,121 105 30.29 2 7 15 Bothams first-class batting record at Worcestershire Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Highest Average 100 50 Ct 54 75 6 2,097 161 30.39 4 10 36 Bothams first-class bowling record at Durham Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Best Average 5w 10w 507.5 108 1,599 39 4-11 41.00 0 0 Bothams first-class bowling record at Worcestershire Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Best Average 5w 10w 1,105 224 3,372 131 7-54 25.74 6 1 In June 1992, Botham became the first Durham player to play Test cricket for England, against Pakistan at Edgbaston, but by his own admission was a mere shadow of his best self in both that rain-ruined match and the Test that followed at Lords - the last of his 102 England caps.One final flingHow else to sign off? With a bit of Aussie bashing, of course. By the time the tourists rolled up at The Racecourse, Bothams mind was long made up that he wouldnt see out the 1993 season - a two-day defeat to Surrey in the Championship at the start of the month in which he made eight off eight balls across two innings on the same day deciding matters once it was clear he didnt have a chance of forcing his way back into Englands plans. Batting at six, Botham made a bullish 32 off 37 balls before falling to Steve Waugh before the match fizzled out into a draw. Bothams overall first-class batting record Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Highest Average 100 50 Ct 402 617 46 19,399 228 33.97 38 97 354 Bothams overall first-class bowling record Overs Runs Wickets Best Average 5w 10w 10,576.1 31,902 1,172 8-34 27.22 59 8 The aftermathLater on in his autobiography Dont tell Kath Botham would describe his move to Durham as one of the worst decisions he ever made. Generally speaking, I got on well with most of the playing staff, he wrote, but my real problems were with members of the committee. Initially, promises were made that were never kept and the level of in-fighting grew and grew. A quarter of a century on, Bothams comeback gives him the opportunity to fashion the club just as he played his cricket - his way. Ian Botham, pictured in Durham colours in 1992 Botham will be part of our team in India for all five of the Tests between India and England live on Sky Sports 2, starting with the first Test from 3.30am on Wednesday 9th November. Or watch the whole of the first Test for £10.99 with no contract, with a week pass from NOW TV. Also See: Botham confirmed as chairman Live cricket on Sky Get Sky Sports Cricket videos Roberto Perez Jersey . There are practical ideas, like this Chewbaca inspired Star Wars jerseys. Star Wars themed jerseys for the Toledo Mud Hens. Michael Brantley Jersey . -- Top-ranked Stacy Lewis birdied the last three holes and five of the final six Thursday for an 8-under 64 and a share of the lead with Mi Jung Hur in the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic. http://www.indiansteamproshop.com/Indian...so-Kids-Jersey/. The Canadians led for much of the game before Argentina forced overtime in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter. Canada weathered the storm after squandering a lead with a series of made shots. "Its a fantastic win for our country with 11 first-time Canadian national team members," said head coach Roy Rana. Tyler Naquin Jersey . The Toronto Argonauts signed the veteran linebacker to a three-year deal Tuesday, hours after the start of CFL free agency. Omar Vizquel Jersey . Bring on Freddy Garcia. The well-travelled 36-year-old right-hander earned his second NL victory since 2007, and his first since he joined the Atlanta Braves last month, pitching six innings to help beat Miami 6-1 Thursday.Warringtons road to the Grand Final began on a pre-season trip to Tenerife, captain Chris Hill says. The Wolves go to Old Trafford this weekend, live on Sky Sports, with just Wigan now standing in the way of a first league title in 61 years. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ?￡6.99. No contract. Hill has already led the side to the League Leaders Shield and a Challenge Cup runners-up spot this season, their success a far cry from last seasons sixth-placed finish and subsequent Super 8s exit. Its totally different to last year, Hill said. I think our mentality has changed. We had a good chat when we were in Tenerife for our pre-season camp where we changed our mentality around. We focused on what we wanted to win and we made it known we wanted to do the treble.We fell short at Wembley but we took one out and were going to take the other. Grand Final: Key battles Warrington v Wigan: Three key battles of the 2016 Grand Final The pain of losing the Challenge Cup final to Hull FC in dramatic fashion, after leading 10-0, is still a spur for Hill who said: I think sometimes you have to go through the heartache to make you a better player.You dont want to feel like you did at the end of the Challenge Cup final. Its motivation in itself. Others might have different motivation, but personally thats one for me. Former Wigan player Phil Clarke previews the Super League Grand Final.dddddddddddd I think the League Leaders is under-estimated, its probably the hardest one to get. To be the most consistent side over 30 weeks is hard and so for us it was a great achievement but we want to go out with the big one on Saturday.Hill was part of the Warrington side beaten in the 2012 and 2013 Grand Finals, and he said: It hurts, it has for a few years, and hopefully we can overturn it on Saturday.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Super League Grand Final on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Sinfield: Tough to pick a winner From ballboy to Grand Finalist Grand Final: Key battles VOTE: Stevos top Super League player ' ' '