BEEF UP, BEN
BEN STOKES and Sir Ian Botham have plenty in common as heroic England allrounders who won games with bat, ball and in the field.
But according to the man who knew Beefy (right) better than most and shared countless hours on the field alongside and against him there is one trait that stands out. “I see the aggression in Stokes and it reminds me of Beefy and I like that,” said Sir Viv Richards (below right).
Sir Viv was no wallflower when it came to going toeto-toe with his opponents.
He would use all the pace and hostility he had at his disposal as West Indies captain and would strike fear into opposition bowlers with his own aggressive brand of batting.
After seeing the way his fellow knight of the realm went about his business up close, he clearly sees the same approach in Stokes, who has built his reputation on being a no-nonsense, hard-hitting and bowling cricketer.
“They are both match-winners who can do something with bat, ball or in the field that can change a game or close it out,” added Sir Viv. “They are both the sort of player who won’t shy away from a challenge. If the captain needs someone to take a wicket or hold up an end, or push the run rate on, they can do it all and that is such a great thing to have.
“I can remember Beefy when he played either for Somerset or for England, he would just take the bull by the horns and get things done. He wasn’t afraid to step up