Botham aims to bowl over Oz... as envoy

CRICKET legend Lord Botham has been selected for the Test of drumming up business in the home of England’s oldest enemy on the pitch.

The former all-rounder has been named by the government as one of ten new unpaid trade envoys – and given responsibility for Australia.

International trade secretary Liz Truss promised that the Brexiteer (pictured) would ‘ bat for British business Down Under’, adding: ‘ By boosting exports, promoting inward investment and creating high-value, high-paying jobs, our trade envoys will help us build back better from Covid-19.’

But Lord Botham’s appointment drew derision online. Ex-civil servant Siobhan Benita tweeted: ‘If you didn’t already think Global Britain has become a laughing stock on the world stage, the appointment of Ian Botham as the UK’s trade envoy to Australia really should start ringing some alarm bells.’

And lecturer Declan Jones asked: ‘ As he lives in Spain what exactly will he be promoting – timeshares in Fuengirola?’

However, George Brandis, Australia’s ambassador in the UK, tweeted: ‘What a fantastic appointment! Australia looks forward to welcoming Lord Botham Down Under.’ Lord Botham – who played a heroic role in England’s legendary comeback win over the Aussies in the 1981 Ashes – sits in the House of Lords as an independent. His latest task will require more diplomacy than he showed in his playing days. He once said: ‘Aussies are big and empty – just like the country.’