Top cricketer caught up in fans fracas

“England cricket captain Ian Botham was struck on the head in a scuffle at Lord’s Pavilion yesterday, as frustrated fans waited for the rain-battered Centenary Test match to restart,” read The Post.

“Botham and Australian skipper Greg Chappell had gone to the rescue of umpires David Constant and Harold Bird, who were being manhandled by angry spectators. The incident was in the MCC Members’ enclosure after the umpires made their fifth pitch inspection. Botham said: ‘It was a very ugly scene. I was hit by a hand or fist. Constant was grabbed by the tie. It was more like a football terrace than Lord’s.’

“Frustration had built up because of the apparent lack of action being taken to clear up damp patches on the pitch. There was little for the fans to see, apart from five inspections.”