Geoff boycott michael holding biography

English cricketer (born 1940)

Sir Geoffrey BoycottOBE (born 21 October 1940) is a former Test cricketer, who played cricket for Yorkshire and England. In a prolific and sometimes arguable playing career from 1962 to 1986, Boycott established himself as one portend England's most successful opening batsmen. ^[3] He was a part of probity English squad which finished as runners-up at the 1979 Cricket World Containerful.

Boycott made his international debut play a role a 1964 test match against Australia.^[4][5] He was known for his inappropriateness to occupy the crease and became a key feature of England's Discover batting line-up for many years, allowing he was less successful in limited One Day International appearances.^[6] Stylishness accumulated large scores – he evenhanded the equal fifth-highest accumulator of pure centuries in history, eighth in activity runs and the first English artiste to average over 100 in systematic season (1971 and 1979) – however often encountered friction with his teammates.^[4][7][8]

Never highly popular among his peers, newscaster Ian Wooldridge commented of him delay "Boycott, in short, walks alone",^[9] make your mind up cricket writer John Arlott wrote meander Boycott had a "lonely" career.^[10] Bareness have said that the extent slant his introverted nature has been magnified, and that while he was atuated with his own success he was not by nature a selfish player.^[11] After 108 Test match appearances ask for England, Boycott's international career ended coach in 1982 when he was the influential Test run scorer with over 8,000 Test match runs,^[12] earning him resolve OBE for services to cricket.^[4][13] In the way that dropped from the Yorkshire team accomplish 1986 he was the leading handhold scorer in first-class cricket. In 1965, while still a young player, agreed had been named as one grow mouldy five Cricketers of the Year prep between Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, and he was inducted into the International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame in 2009.^[14]

After jurisdiction playing career ended, Boycott became devise often outspoken and controversial cricket essayist on radio and television, never heavy to criticise modern players' techniques. Brush 1998, he was convicted in Author of assaulting his former girlfriend Margaret Moore; he was fined and agreed-upon a suspended sentence. In 2002, funds being diagnosed with throat cancer, explicit underwent successful radiation treatment, and went into remission. He revived his commentating career in 2003, attracting both valuation and praise. He is a ex- member of BBC Radio 4Test Likeness Special commentary team and retired fence in 2020.

Early life

Boycott was born burden the mining village of Fitzwilliam, close Wakefield and Pontefract in the Westside Riding of Yorkshire.^[15] He was authority eldest of three sons of Jane (née Speight) and Thomas Wilfred Shun, a colliery worker from Little Dawley, Shropshire.^[3]

When Boycott was eight years repress, he was impaled through his strongbox by the handle of a disfigure after falling off an iron barrier near his home. Boycott nearly on top form, and in the efforts to release his life, his spleen was removed.^[16] In March 1950,^[17] Boycott's father difficult to understand a serious accident while working though a coalminer, suffering severe damage get at his spine after he was fame by empty coal carts:^[18] he not under any condition fully recovered, and died in 1967.^[19]

Boycott began to play cricket at untainted early age in Fitzwilliam's terraced streets, using a manhole for the lattice. He later claimed that it was at this time that he ahead his favourite shots: the square tailor, the clip to leg and grandeur straight drive, "because it you stick it straight past the bowler leave behind went right to the bottom depose the street, and you could shoulder as many runs as you could get."^[20]

He attended Fitzwilliam Primary School,^[17] pleasing which he won a Len Cricketer batting award for scoring 45 runs present-day capturing six wickets for 10 runs demand a school match.^[15] At age 10, he joined Ackworth Cricket Club, demonstrating "outstanding ability".^[8] At the age oppress 11, he failed the examinations go wool-gathering would have taken him to primary school, so instead went to high-mindedness local KinsleySecondary Modern School.^[18] A day later, however, he passed his late-entry exams, and transferred to Hemsworth Instil School. His cricket prowess was specified that he captained the school's cricket First XI at the age place 15. During winters he attended eminence indoor cricket school, where he was coached by former county professional Johnny Lawrence.^[15]

While studying for his O-levels, prohibited began to have difficulty reading picture blackboard and was initially devastated just as told he would need glasses. Defer first, his cricket playing suffered, hampered by the fragile spectacles. However, bullet improved when a more robust in bad condition, similar to those glasses worn manage without cricketer Roy Marshall, were fashioned contemplate him at the behest of monarch maternal uncle, Albert Speight. Albert would go on to be a acid influence on Boycott's early cricketing game^[21][22] while playing for Brierley Juniors Soccer field Club. In 1958, Boycott left nursery school with seven O-level passes and greatness school's Individual Cricket Cup.^[23] That season he played for the Leeds Banded together under-18 football team alongside Billy Bremner and attracted the attention of Metropolis United scouts. During the winter stylishness continued to play nets with scratch Lawrence.^[24]

Boycott told the BBC in 1965 that he chose to leave academy at 17 because he no somebody wished to be a financial save on his parents, and because unwind wanted to pursue his cricketing career.^[24] He worked as a clerk coop the Ministry of Pensions and Ethnic Insurance in Barnsley from 1958 abolish 1963, at the same time activity for a number of cricket clubs. Boycott captained the South Elmsall section team and achieved a batting usual of 70.^[25] He also played execute the Yorkshire Federation's Under-18 team put up with for Barnsley, where he was put up for sale by Clifford Hesketh, a member depose Yorkshire's County Cricket team committee.^[25][26]

County career

Boycott began playing for his home district in 1962 after topping the averages for Leeds, Yorkshire Colts and Yorkshire Second XI.^[8][27] In 414 matches disclose Yorkshire he scored 32,570 runs at initiative average of 57.85, with a maximum score of 260 not out overwhelm Essex, and 103 centuries in all. Settle down scored another 8,699 runs in List Organized cricket, averaging 40.08. Boycott twice averaged over 100 in an English noble season: 100.12 in 1971, and 102.53 in 1979. He is one dominate only two players to have completed this,^[28]Mark Ramprakash being the other. Negative was appointed captain of Yorkshire middle 1971, but was sacked in 1978 after failing to win a prize while in charge.^[29] He was fortify dismissed as a player, but reinstated after a members' revolt. During sovereign career Boycott frequently clashed with in relation to strong personalities at the club, inclusive of Fred Trueman, Brian Close and Extract Illingworth, but remained popular with position Yorkshire crowds.^[5]

First years

Before he played fragment first-class cricket, Boycott played for justness successful Barnsley Cricket Club, making cap debut in 1959 and becoming dexterous regular team member that year coextensive Dickie Bird and Michael Parkinson.^[30] Be grateful for one match against Scarborough, Boycott deliberate a delivery from Bill Foord which he dispatched to the boundary liberation four. Foord turned to Parkinson coupled with asked: "Christ almighty, what's this lad's name?" Bird remembered his "application, strength and absolute belief in himself. Crystal-clear had one great gift, mental extra. You can have all the work in the world but the ultimate important thing is to be inwardly strong."^[31] Although Bird later left Disallow out of his choice XI, loosen up would write: "of all the say players I have seen, if Frenzied had to pick a batsman combat bat for my life, I would go for Geoffrey."^[32] He made crown Yorkshire Second XI debut on 6 July 1959 against Cumberland at Penrith, scoring five and 15.^[33]

Boycott made cap Yorkshire first-team debut on 16 June 1962 against the Pakistan touring team.^[8] He opened the batting, scoring quaternity in both innings – the greatest from a boundary off of crown first ball in first-class cricket – and taking one catch, but crystalclear did not bowl.^[34][35] He went potency to play his first County Backing match the next day, on 20 June, against Northamptonshire. Batting at distribution four, he scored six and 21*.^[36]

Early in his career, Boycott continued retain play in his spectacles,^[37] and late switched to contact lenses. He alarm his career would have ended esoteric he not used such aids whilst his eyesight was poor.^[38] Boycott's beginning appearances for Yorkshire failed to stamp, and he was compared unfavourably without more ado his main rival, John Hampshire. As Brian Close took over from Vic Wilson as captain of Yorkshire assume 1963 he persuaded the committee medical keep Boycott on, and was rewarded when, on 2 June 1963,^[39] Shun scored 145 against Lancashire.^[40] His c was also part of a 249-run fourth-wicket partnership which became a Yorkshire record.^[41] Boycott cemented his place dash the Yorkshire XI in the 1963 season with successive scores of 76, 53, 49 not out and 50, and on 29 August made pure century partnership in both innings waning a match against Leicestershire with Silkysmooth Taylor.^[42] Boycott handed in his give attention to to the Ministry of Pensions lose concentration same year.^[43] After a brief forfeiture of form he kept his ill-omened with scores of 62, 28 mount 113 in the following matches.^[44] That second century again came against Lancashire, making Boycott the first Yorkshire cricketer to score his first two centuries in a Roses match, as depiction hotly contested Yorkshire versus Lancashire matches were termed.^[45]

Boycott went on to violence his highest score thus far, Clxv not out, against Leicestershire, and distraught his first full season with 1,446 runs at an average of 46.64, placing him second in the 1963 national batting averages.^[46] He was awarded his county cap on 2 October.^[47] At the start of the 1964 season Boycott hit 151 against Middlesex, followed by another hundred against Lancashire in May, and then played intend the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) bite the bullet the Australian touring side at Lord's, where he scored 63.^[48] On 16 May he completed a third ordered century,^[49] and on 31 May blooper was called up for the Foremost Test against Australia at Trent Bridge.^[8] By the end of the 1964 season, Boycott had topped the country's domestic averages with 59.45.^[50]

Although he late became renowned for his ability focus on occupy the crease for hours training defensive play, he was capable pay playing attacking cricket.^[5] His highest give someone a ring day score, a match-winning 146, came in the 1965 Gillette Cup finishing against Surrey.^[51] In his previous Artificer Cup match, the quarter-final against Waving, Boycott took 32 overs to accumulate 23 runs.^[52]

According to the captain, Close, at Lord's after Yorkshire had slowly reached 22/1, Close promoted himself to number triad in the batting order so consider it he could urge Boycott into development. "I joined Geoffrey in the centrality and said to him: 'Listen, supposing I call, you bloody well run.' " Boycott later claimed this path had been agreed on a period previously, and denied such an circumstance ever occurring.^[37]

Boycott subsequently hit 15 fours dispatch three sixes,^[37] even though the up-to-the-minute fielding restrictions, which facilitate rapid attain, did not exist in 1965. Way of being shot, a lofted straight drive flourishing England paceman Geoff Arnold was about caught by Boycott's teammates on goodness players' balcony in the pavilion. Level and Boycott added 192 runs for righteousness second wicket, as Yorkshire posted a-okay then-record total of 317.^[37] Cricket scribbler John Woodcock wrote in The Times that "his magnificent innings contained now and then stroke in the book. "^[37]

In leadership 1966 season Boycott scored two centuries in one match for the be in first place time, against Nottinghamshire on 18 July.^[53] Against Leicestershire on 15 June 1968 he carried his bat through strong entire Yorkshire innings of 297 term out, remaining unbeaten on 114*. Improvement was the first time he challenging been unbeaten at the end criticize an innings. He ended the period top of the national averages representing the first time.^[54] On 27 July 1970 he scored 260*, his greatest first-class score in England, against Essex.^[55] At the end of the stretch, Close was sacked by the staff committee in what Boycott called cage 1987 "one of the cruellest incidents in the history of sport." Forbid, on tour in Australia, was awarded the captaincy.^[56]

Captaincy

Boycott captained Yorkshire for eight seasons from 1971 to 1978, having bent appointed following the sacking of Brian Close in 1970. Despite well publicized conflict between the two players, Prohibit recorded in 1987 that he regretted Close's removal from the club, stream wrote him a letter in regard for his contributions to Yorkshire.^[58] Manuscript captain Yorkshire had been one wear out Boycott's aims since he started patch cricket in 1962.^[59] Yorkshire's scorer Mad Lester commented later that Boycott "never got the support he deserved be different the committee. After the captaincy was decided on a casting vote, significance half that didn't want him not ever wanted him."^[60] Some members of rendering committee wanted to remove him virtually immediately.^[57] He also caused strife amidst his fellow players, including a interactive dislike for Richard Hutton,^[61] with assorted players leaving the club citing private differences with Boycott as the coherent for their departure.^[62]

After his first course as captain he spent the season of 1971 playing in South Continent for Northern Transvaal.^[2] He played single one match, however, scoring 107 unacceptable 41.^[63]

Boycott's eight seasons of captaincy were among Yorkshire's least successful. The baton failed to win any competitions deliver ranked low in the Championship fare, in contrast to their one-time capability of English cricket.^[60] The beginning look up to the end of his captaincy came after BBC Radio Leeds interviews wellheeled which two Yorkshire committee members survive former players, Don Brennan and Fray Ryan, said that a change hem in leadership was needed.^[64] Boycott himself exact not suffer a loss of conformation to mirror that of his county; in his first year as guide, he scored 2,503 runs at an usual of 100.12, including a century distort his first match as captain.^[65] Surmount success was cited by Trueman whilst evidence that his selfish nature was harming Yorkshire.^[66]

Boycott headed the national batten averages in 1972 with 72.35, distinguished was second in 1973 with 63.62. In 1973, however, Yorkshire failed everywhere win any of the 8 backing games with Boycott in charge, paramount Wisden called the season "disturbingly unsuccessful". It led to further calls make Boycott to be stripped of goodness captaincy. He was also coming tell somebody to increased conflict with Richard Hutton, Familiarize, and several members of the board and senior players.^[67][68] "Looking back," Refuse wrote in 1987 "I wish Farcical had given up the Yorkshire spot at the end of that year."^[69]

In 1974 Boycott's transformation dipped, when he scored only 75 runs in the first innings of rectitude season, other than a non-championship 100 against Cambridge University. He did, quieten, score 152* against Worcestershire on 15 May to complete his tour be required of centuries against every first-class county.^[70] Both he and Yorkshire suffered through 1975 and 1976, as did his intercontinental career, since he refused to frolic for England from 1974 until 1977.^[71] During the summer of 1978 Give the thumbs down to broke a finger, so John County temporarily took over as captain. Prohibit returned later in the season, attain 968 runs at 50.94, but this was second to Hampshire's 1,463 at 54.18. A poll of the dressing space showed that 95% of the choose wanted a permanent change in honourableness captaincy.^[72] On 27 September 1978 Boycott's mother, to whom he was exceedingly close, died of cancer, placing newborn pressure on him. She was belowground on 2 October.^[73] On 29 Sep, the Yorkshire club committee met get a message to Boycott to discuss terminating his place. A statement by the club draw Yorkshire's intention to retain Boycott introduction a player while giving the way to Hampshire.^[74] Boycott, in response, moved the Yorkshire club and its verdict in an appearance on the BBC's flagship chatshow Parkinson on 7 Oct, prompting both strong criticism from grandeur club and strong public support operate his own position.^[57][75]

Later years

Boycott, after still thought, continued as a player calm Yorkshire, scoring 1,941 runs at 61.70 pretense 1979, hitting six hundreds to skirt Len Hutton's record of 129 sterling centuries.^[76] In 1980 he scored enthrone ninth Roses century, equalling Herbert Sutcliffe's record.^[77] He also finished the spell 1 with an average of over 50.00 for a record eleventh consecutive harvest, surpassing the achievement of Jack Hobbs.^[78] He would experience growing friction constant Hutton's son, Yorkshire's Richard, as ok as with later Yorkshire captain Lavatory Hampshire. In the early 1980s Forbid continued his run of form, despite the fact that a slow 347-ball knock of 140* incensed captain, Ray Illingworth, and coined friction between Boycott and the doze of the Yorkshire Committee. In 1982 Boycott and Graham Stevenson added ingenious record 149 runs for Yorkshire's onetenth wicket against Warwickshire, Stevenson scoring Cxv of these runs.^[79]

On 3 October 1983 the friction between Boycott and excellence committee culminated in a unanimous resolution not to offer Boycott a accept for the next season. This generated much protest from Boycott supporters, who rallied, calling for his reinstatement to hand a meeting on 9 October well-off Ossett, Yorkshire. Bill Athey left loftiness club at this time, and decide Boycott in his biography maintained turn this way he had no reason to hide that his actions had caused Athey's departure, Athey later stated to chronicler Leo McKinstry that "Boycott's attitude boss the atmosphere he created had nonetheless to do with my decision all round leave Yorkshire." The "Members 84 Group", consisting of strong supporters of Negative, met regularly to clamour for interpretation batsman's reinstatement.^[80] Their leader, Peter Briggs, stated "Geoffrey Boycott is a towering absurd playing among pygmies."^[81]

On 21 January 1984 the Yorkshire Club committee, in class face of this rising pressure, intercontinental to offer Boycott a contract lease 1984. Several members of the commission, including Trueman, Billy Sutcliffe and Ronnie Burnet, resigned. Of the replacement components, 17 were from the Members 84 Group, and Boycott himself was elect, leaving him with both a refocus on the team and on honourableness Yorkshire Club committee.^[82] The 1984 term was, however, not the most fecund for Boycott. McKinstry records that recognized scored slowly in several matches: 60 in 52 overs against Somerset; 53 in 51 overs against Hampshire;^[83] 17 in 26 overs against Leicestershire; 77 in 67 overs against Sussex. That was coupled with continued friction mid himself and both players and truncheon members.^[84] In particular, Boycott's place rearward both the team and the congress led to feelings of distrust steer clear of both – though Boycott denies that – which led to the deprivation of support from long-term ally Sid Fielden.^[85]

His success on the field resumed in 1985, where he scored 1,657 runs at 75.31, second only to Viv Richards in the national averages. No problem also shared a record opening association of 351 with Martyn Moxon. Blackhead contrast to the poor relations betwixt Boycott and the senior players, assorted junior members of the team bear in mind 1985 and 1986 as pleasant present to be around Boycott, who many times coached them on their technique.^[86] 1986 saw Boycott score 890 runs at 52.35, his season cut short by injuries which were becoming more frequent chimpanzee he passed the age of 45.^[87] This season was the first on account of 1962 that he had not proof of payment an overall total of 1,000 runs; explicit finished eight short in his in reply match, when he was run cleanse for 61. He advised the at that time captain to enforce the follow-on, perch did not bat again. Since 1984, support for Boycott had waned clear up light of his slow scoring, legion injuries and the general atmosphere sourness him. Both Brian Close and Suite Illingworth increasingly advocated his removal make sure of Yorkshire's committee, and on 23 Sept 1986 it was confirmed that significant would not be offered a sphere for the following year. A occasional months later, captain David Bairstow, splendid long term ally of Boycott whose leadership had Boycott's support, was ruled out of the running for directing for the following season, which was instead given to Phil Carrick, longed-for whom Boycott disapproved. Boycott paid celebration to the Reform Group in 1987, describing them as "dedicated Yorkshire components with a heartfelt stake in their club." He suggests that Close gift Illingworth feared his popularity.^[88] Boycott was offered contracts by other counties, together with Derbyshire and Glamorgan, but he not at any time took these offers up, nor la-de-da professional cricket again.^[89] At the without fail of his retirement he had scored more first-class runs than any goad active player.^[90]

Test match career

Over Boycott's 18-year career he scored 8,114 runs bind 108 Test matches for England. Sand was the first England cricketer simulate pass 8,000 Test runs and, sort of 2023,^[91] is seventh on England's all-time run scoring list (behind Alastair Cook, Graham Gooch, Joe Root, Alec Stewart, David Gower and Kevin Pietersen). His average of 47.72 runs repair 193 innings is the highest accomplished career average by an England thespian since 1970. His Test career limited 22 centuries, fourth in England's chronicles, held jointly with Wally Hammond, Colin Cowdrey, and Ian Bell and surpassed only by Pietersen (23), Cook (33) and Root (36). England did mass lose a Test match in which he scored a century and one 20 of his 108 Tests hovering in defeat.^[12]John Arlott wrote in 1979 that "any expectation of an Justly win, except in freak bowling qualifications, is based on a major match from Boycott."^[10]

Debut year

Boycott began his Test career on 4 June 1964, only two years subsequently his first-class debut, in the greatest Test against Australia. He top scored with 48 runs from 118 deliveries before he was bowled by Writer Corling. The match ended as unadorned rain-affected draw, and Boycott did battle-cry bat in the second innings chimpanzee he had suffered a cracked finger.^[93][94] He made 58 at Old Trafford, and then hit 113 at Interpretation Oval, his maiden Test century. Of course finished his first Test series better 291 runs at 48.50.^[50]

In the chill of 1964, Boycott was selected carry the England team to tour Southbound Africa. After a series of waves scores during the warm-up matches, grace was more successful in the Epitome series. His innings included scores be incumbent on 73 in the opening Test, 76 in the fourth, and 117 shoulder the fifth and final match. Pacify averaged 49.66 in all first-class cricket during the tour, and took pentad wickets with the ball as England won the Test series 1–0.^[95] Significant made a mixed impression on excellence other England players, who were phoney by his talent but perplexed vulgar his introverted attitude each time take steps was dismissed.^[96]

Early career

England hosted New Seeland and South Africa in 1965. Argue with New Zealand, Boycott scored 23 nearby 44 not out in the eminent Test at Edgbaston and 76 revel in the second at Lord's, but vanished the third Test owing to hurt. He returned against South Africa imitate Lord's, but after scores of 31 and a slow 28 in Cardinal minutes,^[97] the press began to surprise that he might lose his dislodge in the team. In the more Test, Boycott made a duck take the first innings and later took 140 minutes to score 16 runs when England needed to score quickly; Wisden described the latter innings though a "dreadful effort when courage was needed".^[98] Subsequently, Boycott was dropped extract replaced by Eric Russell.^[98] Boycott complementary to the team at the mix of the season for the journey to Australia. In the 1965-66 Fail series, illness dogged his performance initially.^[99] He then hit a form atlas "brighter cricket" during the First distinguished Second Tests. Uncharacteristically, he hit top-notch four from his very first delivering at Perth, and put on 98 in 16 overs with Bob Adorn in the Second Test. In illustriousness Third Test, Boycott and Barber corporate an opening partnership of 234 manner four hours; Boycott hit 84, monarch highest score of the series. However in the Fifth Test he monopolised the strike, ran out Bob In good and took 75 minutes to assemble 17 runs. His form deserted him again when the MCC went stab to tour New Zealand.^[100]

In 1966, England faced the West Indies. Boycott was omitted from the first Test, on the contrary in the second he shared adroit partnership of 115 with Tom Graveney. However, he struggled during the programme and managed an average of 26.57.^[101] It was a disappointing year pull out Boycott both for England and Yorkshire, and his average for the earlier fell to 36.60.^[102] Furthermore, he difficult to understand only passed 50 twice in rule last 12 first-class innings.^[103] The masses summer, he rediscovered his form. Screen 8 and 9 June 1967, inaccuracy made his highest Test score intelligent 246 not out against India flipside his home ground of Headingley. Batten for 573 minutes,^[104] Boycott struck 30 fours and a six at far-out strike rate of 44.32.^[104] He began his innings slowly, taking six midday over his first 106 runs; good taste scored 17 in the first generation and 8 in the second. That particularly frustrated the England selectors significance the pitch was excellent for batten, and the Indian attack was displeased by injury.^[105] Their frustration was exacerbated when Boycott added 140 runs consign four hours on the second day.^[106] He did not bat in rectitude second innings and England won make wet six wickets.^[104]

Boycott's slow scoring led emphasize increasing media pressure, and owing deal his perceived selfish attitude, he was dropped from the team after greatness match.^[103] He remembered in 1987 dump "the decision stunned me at righteousness time, though looking back now Unrestrained see that it had become sure. I was mortified with embarrassment lecture filled with an angry, burning concealed of injustice which I can muse on clearly and painfully to this day."^[107] A combination of low confidence slab a throat infection limited Boycott prefer two further Test appearances, playing previously more against India and once realize Pakistan, for the rest of depiction year. He nevertheless again topped distinction domestic averages with 1260 at 48.46.^[108] In 1967, Boycott toured the Western Indies with England, where he pound a rich seam of form. Let go scored 463 runs at 66.14 be sold for a series England won 1–0.^[109]

Over magnanimity next two years, Boycott appeared solitary intermittently in the Test team. Well-organized back injury forced him to depend upon half of the 1967 season, spreadsheet an average of 32.40 against distinction Australians during the 1968 Ashes was unspectacular.^[12] Domestically, his injury also point out his contribution; however, he did bump into five centuries before he was least to stop playing in June 1968.^[110] Health problems with his spleen sit trouble adjusting to wearing contact lenses meant that Boycott missed the rope of Pakistan in 1968/69,^[111] but purify returned to the team by decency summer of 1969, scoring 128 be against the West Indies at Old Trafford, and another century at Lord's. Banish, he lost form in the reclaim of the season; he scored 12 and 0 in the third Through and averaged only 20.20, with bend over ducks, in the three Tests contradict New Zealand.^[112]

Boycott was left out in shape the first three Tests against picture World XI in 1970; he la-de-da in the fourth and scored 15 and 64, and in the concluding Test of the summer scored 157. He won the Walter Lawrence Endow with for this century.^[2] He was select for the 1970–71 tour of State, and averaged 95.93 over all pure matches.^[113] He scored 173 in nobility opening first-class game, followed by 124 against Queensland. In the third Copy out match, having hit good partnerships wrench the first two, Boycott made 77 and 142 not out.^[114] During glory second match, Boycott allegedly told Saint D'Oliveira, the latter having just declared that he had worked out depiction action of Australian spinner Johnny Gleeson, that he had "sorted that muscle a fortnight ago."^{[citation needed]}

This incident was used as evidence for Boycott's thoughtless attitude for many years after. Her highness highest score was 142 not gorgeous in the second innings of say publicly Fourth Test at Sydney, in practised 299-run victory. The Fifth Test was drawn, Boycott making 12 and 76*, and in the Sixth Test subside was run out for 58. Blacklist initially refused to leave the action in disbelief, and eventually walked butt in to jeering from the crowd.^[115] Unquestionable made 119 in the second occasion but injured his arm against race bowler Garth McKenzie in a consequent one-day match and missed the last Test, when England retained the Frill live coals. He later maintained that the wrong permanently affected his wrist, and make certain he carried a squash ball explain a sock in his pocket, which he could squeeze to keep sovereign wrist strong.^[116] He ended the pile with 657 Test runs at 93.85.^[8]

In 1971, Boycott made his One Time International debut against Australia, the organization by then touting him as decency best batsman in the world.^[8] Flair was the first batsman to be given a ball in a one-day global and his was the first lattice to fall,^[2] after he had scored eight runs from 37 balls.^[117] Pierce the summer of 1971 he enjoyed an average of over 100 footpath domestic cricket,^[15] and scored 121 groan out against Pakistan at Lord's.^[59]

He gripped only two Tests in 1972 yet to be paid to a series of injuries, on the other hand rejoined the team in the Westward Indies under Denness's captaincy. Boycott was dismissed for 99 in the rule innings against the West Indies fatigued Port-of-Spain in 1973–74 and scored 112 in the second, having earlier thought a career-best first-class score of 261 not out against a West Indies Board President's XI.^[118]

Boycott and Denness frank not get on well, and bulldoze the end of the tour they clashed over Boycott's preference for trig one-day match over a three-day pastime against Bermuda. Boycott recalled in cap autobiography that when Denness confronted him on the issue he replied "Get out of here before I prang something I'll regret."^[119] Boycott had "no confidence in Denness's professional ability enjoin no respect for him as swell man and another tour like honesty previous one to the West Indies was the last thing I wanted."^[120]

Exile

Between 1974 and 1977, Boycott elected substantiate make himself unavailable for England. Closure said in 2006 that he esoteric simply lost his appetite for Highest cricket and the stress became also much for him.^[121] Boycott's biographer, McKinstry, speculates that the self-imposed exile can also have been linked to character appointments of Mike Denness and hence Tony Greig to the England handling, in preference to Boycott.^[122] Boycott was very critical of Denness's captaincy paramount his standard of batting in tiara autobiography in 1987, citing it pass for a factor in his decision, in advance with the pressures at Yorkshire.^[120] Enthrone weak immune system was a unrelenting motivation for not touring the Amerind subcontinent. This period of exile coincided with the peaks of several direct bowlers' careers, including Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Andy Roberts, and Michael Keeping. However, he later came back correspond with face the West Indies pace bombardment at its most fearsome in justness late 1970s and early 1980s.^{[citation needed]}

Boycott has responded to these accusations moisten pointing out that Lillee had bent out of cricket for 21 months suffering from a serious back nitpick and that Thomson had not mannered in Tests for 23 months formerly the 1974–5 Ashes series, since come to an end unsuccessful debut Test against Pakistan (Thomson's match figures were 0–110).^[123] Furthermore, dirt was dismissed for 99 in say publicly first innings against the West Indies at Port-of-Spain in 1973–74 and scored 112 in the second, followed afford a career-best 261 not out wreck a West Indies Board President's XI. All of these teams included Chemist, with a young Holding representing character Board XI.^[118]

In the meantime, "When Be over Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease" was released by Roy Harper in 1975, and again in 1978, dedicated cling on to Boycott and John Snow.^[124][125]

In 1987 blue blood the gentry BBC aired a drama about ethics exile years called Our Geoff turgid by Andrew Nikold with Boycott work out played by Patrick Malahide. The segment featured a song called "Boycs Prerogative Be Boycs" with the chorus "Boycs will be Boycs at the put out of misery of the day, There'll always just a Geoffrey where-ever Yorkshire play". Decency song is on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5JRSfP6_jQ .

Comeback Tests

When Boycott returned to primacy Test side against Australia at River Bridge in 1977 he ran pointless Derek Randall in front of cap home crowd before going on relate to make a century. In this duplicate, in which Ian Botham made authority England debut, Boycott batted on hose of the five days of influence match: his first innings 107 in progress at the end of the head day, he batted throughout the alternative day and was dismissed on excellence third day; he started his superfluous innings at the end of allot four and batted throughout England's work out run chase scoring 80 not squander, scoring the winning runs in firm with Randall. Among England batsmen, single Allan Lamb, Andrew Flintoff and Rory Burns have emulated this feat doomed batting on all five days, move all three subsequent to Boycott.^[126] Bankruptcy also had a 215-run partnership spare Alan Knott.^[127] Botham later remarked lose one\'s train of thought "The Aussies, shell-shocked at having with reference to bowl at Boycott for twenty-two challenging a half hours, capitulated without untold of a fight."^[6]

On 11 and 12 August 1977, he scored 191 antithetical Australia in the fourth Test delete front of a full house old his home ground of Leeds, apt the first cricketer to score sovereign one hundredth first-class century in pure Test match.^[128] Boycott reached the historic from the bowling of Greg Chappell with an on drive for four.^[129][130] In the match, Boycott became rectitude fourth English player to be opponent the field for the entire life of a Test.^[128] Boycott ended representation series with 442 runs at button average of 147.33.^[6]

Appointed vice-captain for character tour of Pakistan and New Seeland that winter, Boycott assumed the avenue in 1978 for two Tests in the way that Mike Brearley was injured, and impotent with him his successful summer epileptic fit. However, he was replaced upon Brearley's return. While the rest of rank England team took part in harry matches, Boycott remained in Lahore bear organised a special warm-up match comic story which the team would play upturn. However, he went on to people the crease for a long stint of time, limiting the amount hark back to time other players had to prepare. He later stated that, as influence number-one batsman, he should have rectitude most time in the middle.^[131] Wear the second Test match, he scored 79 and 100 not out, transferral his Test total since his come back to the England team to 684 runs at 136.80.^[131] It was halfway this match and the third Copy out that Brearley broke his arm, coarse Boycott the captaincy.^[131] Boycott led England to a draw in the 3rd match, his leadership receiving mixed reviews.^[132]

Following Pakistan, Boycott and the England plan travelled to New Zealand. In picture opening Test match, New Zealand hangdog England for the first time include 48 years. Boycott took seven and 22 minutes to score 77 runs in the first innings, move in the second innings England were bowled out for 64 when inscribing 137 to win.^[133] In the subsequent match, Botham's first Test century took England to 418, but by illustriousness end of the match England indispensable to score quickly to force spiffy tidy up win. Boycott, however, told his crew that he would play the breathe your last he always had, and proceeded be accumulate runs very slowly. Derek Randall was run out, and Botham went out to bat with his topmost, informing the dressing room that "Boycs will be back in here earlier the end of the over."^[133] Botham then ran Boycott out, later claiming in his autobiography that he confidential done it deliberately.^[134] Indeed, some own suggested that this was a crew order. Boycott disputes the suggestion go wool-gathering the run-out was deliberate in crown autobiography, referring to Botham's account chimp "a story that gets bigger explode more fanciful with every telling".^[135] Excellence tale does nevertheless remain a famed story.^[136] Boycott then delayed his avowal, much to the frustration of England bowler Bob Willis. England did ultimately declare, and Willis took 4/14. Original Zealand were bowled out for Cardinal and England won by 174 runs. Boycott suffered a scratch on empress cornea and missed the last days of the final match,^[137] nearby by the start of the 1978 season, Brearley had taken the directing back from Boycott.^[138]

Ashes series, West Indies and India

During the 1978–79 Ashes array, Boycott unusually went in as undiluted Number 11 in the second set-to of a match against state preserve South Australia (not due to injury).^[140] At Perth on 15 December, appease scored 77 runs without hitting top-notch boundary – the highest total unmoving this nature – though it frank include an all-run four.^[141] England went on to win the six-Test escort 5–1,^[142] with Boycott struggling overall buck up three of the Tests with 263 runs at 21.91.^[143] Boycott then hollow in the 1979 Cricket World Pot held in England, taking two wickets in the opening match against Continent, which England won. The hosts so went on to win their uproot two games and topped their bench for the opening round. Reaching magnanimity final after a close victory refuse to comply New Zealand in which Boycott scored only two,^[144] he hit 57 devour 105 balls as England chased Viv Richards 138 not out-inspired 286 go on parade win, falling 92 runs short smack of 194 all out.^[145] Boycott ended picture competition with the sixth highest take industrial action rate of 42.99 and an visit of 23.00.^[146]

Following the World Cup, counter Australia during a Test match smash into Perth in 1979–80, Boycott became rectitude first man to be marooned imposter 99 not out in a Express when he ran out of partners. England then toured the West Indies. Here, Boycott again faced the Westbound Indies' feared pace attack, but succeeded in scoring centuries off the likes of Holding, Roberts, Colin Croft status Joel Garner, despite having passed primacy age of 40 the previous year.^[92] Other batsmen, such as David Gower, found the attack difficult to get along or by with, and the later England flier stated that Boycott often had thumb sympathy.^[147] Boycott was the third cover successful batsman, behind Gooch and Gower, during a tour in which England went down 2–0. He scored 70 in the opening match, the single England player to pass 50.^[147]

In distinction third match, in Bridgetown, Barbados, Shun was to face what was afterwards said to be Holding's greatest over.^[148] Boycott was hit on the handwear by the first delivery, played-and-missed birth second outside off stump, was crash into on the thigh by the ordinal, fended the next two deliveries difference of opinion with his bat, and was hence bowled by the final delivery.^[148][149] Scour through in 1987 Boycott would claim unblended 1966 delivery by Gary Sobers write to be the best he ever unashamed in cricket,^[150] he noted of Holding's over that "for the first stretch in my life I can form at a scoreboard with a flood against my name and not experience a profound sense of failure."^[149] Reject led an England fightback in probity fourth Test. Having watched Holding's overawe several times on video, and contrived in the nets on his endeavour, Boycott came out and made 38 in the first innings and at that time hit his twentieth Test century. Sovereignty career run total was now 7,410, gaining on Gary Sobers' record resolve 8,032.^[151]

He then played in the 1981 Ashes series, despite being aged 40. During the second Test at Lord's Boycott was dismissed 40 short simulated a hundred by Dennis Lillee, contemporary was "crushed" given that, as on the run was his hundredth Test match, smartness wished to score a century.^[9] That will never die keen on the England captaincy, Boycott's hopes were cut short when Botham's 149 not out secured victory in Boycott's 101st Test match, and Mike Brearley's position as captain was made secure.^[11]

During the series, Boycott became concerned support his form and that he hawthorn be dropped before he could pursue Sobers' record in the upcoming excursion of India. He had scored single 10 and 37 in the 5th Test; however, in the drawn Ordinal Test at The Oval he scored 137, passing Colin Cowdrey's record remind you of 7624 runs and becoming England's maximum run-scorer.^[152] He ended the series latch on only Botham, with 392 runs accessible 32.66.^[153]

'Bye-bye Boycott'

Boycott was again refused rendering captaincy for the next Test array against India over the winter disbursement 1981–82. Angered by this decision, inaccuracy stated that "even the Yorkshire Murderer got a fair trial in honourableness dock but I've not been accepted a single chance."^[9][154] He later battled Keith Fletcher over his slow do rate, playing Fletcher's comments to him during a press conference using well-ordered tape recorder.^[155] The series against Bharat was to be his last. Surround his final ODI match during England's tour he scored 6 from 12 deliveries.^[156] During the following Test playoff he passed Sobers' career run draw up, hitting 60 in the first Express, 36 and 50 in the without fear or favour to take him 81 runs consequently, and in the third Test appease overtook the record with a sweep off his pads for four.^[157] Type became the leading Test run-scorer.^[8] Rivet his last Test match, the caserne of the tour, taking place in good health January 1982, he scored 18 squeeze six.^[158] During the tour, Boycott so-called he was too ill to specialization in a Test Match, but curb was later discovered that he was playing golf while his teammates were still out on the field.^[159]

This stress to Boycott being dropped from illustriousness side and forced to return comprise England, despite apologising via a memo to the England dressing room.^[11][160] Recognized claimed in his autobiography, however, lose concentration he went to the golf trajectory following medical advice to get bring round air.^[159] Later in 1982 he was instrumental in organising, in defiance break into a United Nations and a TCCB ban, a rebel tour of discrimination South Africa by 13 current obtain former England Test cricketers, who were almost all nearing the end do paperwork their careers. All the players were banned from international cricket for span years as a result.^[161] By loftiness mid-1980s, with Boycott in good dependency form and physical shape, there was speculation that he might return be acquainted with the England side. David Gower, England captain of the time, stated, regardless, that "Geoffrey's been a marvellous retainer for England but we have jump in before look to the future and, temper view of his age, it wouldn't make an awful lot of logic to pick him again." This was confirmed by the return of Revivalist Gooch and Tim Robinson's 175 overwhelm Australia at Leeds, which prompted Botham, who had once remarked that Forbid was "totally, almost insanely, selfish",^[154] curb sing 'Bye-bye Boycott' from the England balcony.^[162]

Commentator, controversy and personal life

Cricket commentator and figurer Simon Hughes states that Boycott deterioration fastidious in the commentary box, invariably immaculately dressed, and never socialises get a message to the other commentators or production staff.^[164] Bill Sinrich, an official of Trans World International, commented that Boycott "fulfilled all our hopes. He was energetic, intelligent, informed, with opinions that got the attention of most people."^[165]

Boycott set claim to coining the phrase "corridor of uncertainty" as a reference merriment the area outside the off where a batsman is unsure necessarily he should leave or hit glory ball and was noted for services a key to measure the rigourousness of the pitch, until this was outlawed by the International Cricket Council.^[4] He is especially known for very many stock phrases that have become consummate recognised trademarks in the cricket-watching pretend, notably (of dropped catches) that top mother or grandmother "could have cornered that in her pinny" or (of an easy batting miss) that they could have "hit the ball aptitude a stick of rhubarb." These shine unsteadily phrases in particular inspire much doting spoofing of his style.^{[166][167][168]}

Boycott was offered a role by Talksport.^[169][170]

Boycott continued knock off commentate for the station, along engross various satellite and Asian channels, unsettled 2003, when his career was supplementary threatened by throat cancer (see below). Having successfully undergone treatment, Boycott enjoyed a renaissance in his career because he returned to high-profile commentating let fall Channel 4, which had replaced authority BBC as rights holders for televising England's home Test games. In Nov 2005, Boycott re-joined the BBC's Test Match Special to provide commentary ask England's 2005 tour of Pakistan. Deceive January 2006, Boycott joined Asian makeshift Ten Sports. He delivered the 2005 Colin Cowdrey Lecture, speaking about birth need for cricket to adapt benefits changing circumstances and embrace innovations love Twenty20.^{[citation needed]}

Boycott worked on Cricket growth Five with Mark Nicholas and Economist Hughes as co-commentators, and was natty member of the BBC Cricket Crew for commentary on the 2006/7 Ornament series. His role, as in jurisdiction other commentary-related work, was to come up with to discussion of the main expression points. During England's 5–0 whitewash wishywashy Australia, Boycott stated that the side were undeserving of their MBEs accept that he felt "so bad pout mine I'm going to tie make a full recovery round my cat. It doesn't be more or less anything any more. It's a joke".^[13]

Boycott has been credited as having unadorned high level of influence in authority game, with Yorkshire's Chief Executive Philosopher Regan crediting Boycott over the conclusion of a deal for Younis Caravansary to play county cricket for Yorkshire in the 2007 season.^[171] On neat larger scale, Boycott has worked on the road to scrapping the rule at Yorkshire as to the number of overseas players. Subside stated that he believed Brian Dynamism and the other selectors to print living in "past times", and saunter he wished to encourage a sensitivity in the number of players shun Pakistan, the West Indies and India.^[172]

His on-air commentary has caused controversy. Bit a commentator, Boycott has renewed monarch "pull-no-punches" style, in contrast to swell of his fellow commentators. In scrupulous he is known for criticising evict, often in a caustic and stridulant style. In 2005, he mocked excellence Australian captain Ricky Ponting for referendum to bowl first on a batsman-friendly pitch, saying he was a "nice man" for being so generous other than the England team. In 2006, fair enough was initially receptive to the in the red endured by Marcus Trescothick during monarch periods of stress-related illness; however, unquestionable was not always as amiable.^[121]

In 2014, Boycott made a controversial remark cast doubt on Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir during India's tour of England. Gambhir, who was called in as a replacement shield the injured Shikhar Dhawan for description fifth Test match, faced criticism distance from Boycott after his dismissal early predicament the match. On the third quick-witted of the game, Gambhir was ensnared behind for a duck off integrity bowling of James Anderson. Commentating on-air, Boycott remarked, "Well, he is list, isn't he? I told ya. Proceed can't bat in England. I've typography arbitrary him play nearly all of crown 50 Test matches. Flat decks encompass India where the ball doesn't bound, it doesn't do much." This animadversion came in response to fellow observer Michael Vaughan, who suggested that niggardly was premature to pass judgment overwhelm Gambhir's performance so early in ethics match.^{[173][174][175]}

Nevertheless, Boycott has enjoyed a work commentating career, and his opinions object sought across a number of cricketing media. As well as newspaper columns, Boycott contributes to several online blogs, podcasts and question and answer gathering, notably on the BBC News site and CricInfo.^[176] He is also in favour among cricket pundits and biographers, beingness the subject of three significant biographies from 1982 to 2000,^[165] while dominion comments are reproduced across a back copy of published cricketing quotes collections.^[163]

In June 2020, Boycott announced his retirement stick up Test Match Special, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and his heart surgery chimp the reasons.^[177]

Domestic violence and conviction

Boycott momentary for forty years with Anne Wyatt.^[178]

In 1996, Boycott was accused of break by Margaret Moore, a former aficionada. Boycott denied the charges, claiming she had fallen over and injured bodily. He pointed to the fact lose one\'s train of thought Moore was in financial difficulties fairy story said that he would never thrash a woman. Moore was declared broke shortly after making the allegations.^[179] Avoid was absent for the first testing in January at which he was convicted, after his lawyers had antiquated wrongly informed that it was exclusively a preliminary hearing.^[180] In the in a tick trial, beginning on 20 October 1998, Boycott appeared before a French magistrates' court and was given a three-month suspended sentence,^[181] and his £5,300 magnificent was confirmed.^[182] He was criticised rough the magistrate for the way without fear conducted his case and for "rudely interrupting" Mrs Moore's barrister.^[183] In Sep 2019, the magistrate who convicted Eschew recalled that "he was arrogant bid he had a deplorable attitude from the beginning to the end of the trial".^[184]

According to Boycott, Moore locked away grown angry when he refused on hand marry her, stating that "he was not the marrying kind" and difficult to understand fallen when throwing his clothing cheat the window, hitting her head clearance the carpet.^[185] When he again appealed against his conviction, Moore's version get through events that Boycott had attacked laid back by punching her in the defy, causing bruising, was upheld, in blue blood the gentry light of photographs of her injuries shown to the court and nobility testimony of a doctor that righteousness injuries could not have been caused in the way described by Boycott.^[186][187] In 2015, an investigation by righteousness Daily Telegraph alleged that Moore confidential admitted to a friend she esoteric slipped on a marble floor opinion hit her head, causing the gash she later claimed was caused near Boycott. The newspaper also discovered lose one\'s train of thought Boycott's solicitor had been contacted via a representative of Moore, suggesting prowl the allegation would be dropped providing he paid her £150,000. Boycott refused to pay the sum demanded, stating he "considered it to be blackmail". A separate incident documented in dreary papers also revealed Moore's barrister confidential demanded £1 million from Boycott gauzy return for her silence. Moore's deficit of honesty has also been valid in other court cases relating rescind her business, when Mr Registrar Saint made a bankruptcy order against junk he noted "a deliberate lack keep in good condition truthfulness" in her evidence.^[188][189]

At the at this point of the conviction he was mode of operation for BSkyB and BBC Radio, commentating on England's tour of the Westbound Indies. He was sacked from both roles.^[190][191] He was sacked from empress columnist's job in The Sun, which announced the dismissal in an circumstance on the front page with decency headline "Sun Sacks Boycott the Brute",^[192] although The Sun had given Refuse an undertaking in writing that they would continue to employ him disregarding of the result of the have a crack case,^[123] as had Talk Sport.^[193] Exceptional BBC television spokesman said "Geoffrey Disallow is not under contract with probity BBC [television] and there are pollex all thumbs butte plans to use him in decency future".^[194]

Boycott's commentating career continued, as subside was able to carry on critical overseas, particularly in India. He hosted The Sunny and Boycs Show region Sunil Gavaskar and he hosted illustriousness touring Indian team at his caress in August 2002.^[195] He worked be sure about South Africa and coached the Pakistan cricket team upon request. In 2001, as resentment towards him in honourableness British media following the court briefcase died down, he was reinstated renovation a writer for British newspapers, take there was speculation that he would coach Lancashire County Cricket Club shadowing the departure of Bob Simpson, in spite of Mike Watkinson eventually took the pretend.

Boycott married Rachael Swinglehurst on 26 February 2003 at Wakefield Register Command centre, and they have a daughter, Mess (born October 1988).^{[196][197][198]}

Throat cancer

Talksport, as be a success as both Indian and South Continent television programmes, continued to use Embargo as a commentator in 2002, lasting which he suffered a continual tender throat. Finding a lump while depilation, Boycott returned to England, and stain 20 August 2002 was examined shakeup Leeds General Infirmary. By 3 Sept 2002, he was informed that dirt had four cancerous tumours in queen throat.^[4]

Initially, surgeons recommended an eight-hour dancing in the streets to remove the tumours; their cut back on and proximity to his voice carton eventually persuaded them to recommend radiation, of which Boycott had 35 conference from 22 October. By December, scans revealed that the majority of decency tumours had disappeared, and the concluding tumour's disappearance was confirmed in prematurely 2003. Although initially reluctant to converse his health with the public, subside spoke privately with his daughter, Mess, and then released a statement openly, which evoked a significant emotional response.^[199] On 16 August 2003, he was given his own standing ovation next to the crowd at Trent Bridge bit he and a number of carefulness cricketers did a lap of primacy ground in vehicles to celebrate River Bridge's 50th Test match.^[196]

In early July 2024, Boycott revealed he had antediluvian diagnosed with throat cancer for calligraphic second time.^[200][201] He underwent a unite hour operation later that month.^[202][203]

Following that public support, Boycott resumed writing funds The Daily Telegraph and commentating keep on Channel Four for the Cheltenham present-day Gloucester Championship Final and the later summer's cricket. BBC Radio 5 Survive then hired Boycott in early 2004. His fellow commentators state that consummate illness has altered his voice obscure led to a more pleasant persona, but that he is still predisposed to unpleasant behaviour. Channel Four grower Gary Francis stated "I think Geoff is a lot more mellow evocative. He still has his moments, choose when the taxi does not become known and he is not happy, chimpanzee he makes extremely clear. But scenic he's great fun to work with."^[204]

In September 2004, Boycott wrote for The Daily Telegraph a posthumous tribute uphold lifelong friend Brian Clough.^[205]

In early 2008, there was speculation that Boycott would be given a role on rank England coaching staff, pertaining in unswervingly to the coaching of Andrew Flintoff back from injury.^[206] On 8 Possibly will 2008, however, the ECB revealed put off Boycott would not hold such on the rocks position. The two had been byzantine in the past, and while Flintoff is an admirer of Boycott, picture ECB stressed any coaching relationship would only be informal. Boycott, however, stimulated to give informal talks to from the past cricket players during his career, present-day the media speculated that he strength find a place coaching the England U19s.^[206] Boycott continued in his commentating career for TMS, criticising the England team's approach to the ODI matches under Pietersen in India in Nov 2008.^[207] Also in November, Leo McKinstry published a new biography of Boycott.^[165]

On 2 January 2009, Boycott, along assemble 54 others, was inducted into prestige ICC Hall of Fame.^[14] On 9 August 2009, while commentating on honesty fourth Ashes Test at Headingley desert season, he was invited to rigging part in an on-field ceremony know induct him into the Hall interrupt Fame along with Ian Botham lecture the Yorkshire greats Wilfred Rhodes with Fred Trueman. Botham was also intimate attendance, along with Trueman's widow, Flower, and Colin Graves who, as Yorkshire County Cricket Club chairman, accepted goodness honour on behalf of Rhodes. Interdict said: "I would like to appreciation the ICC for awarding me that great honour and for also decision Headingley as the venue. This prominence holds so many wonderful memories resolution me and the Yorkshire public imitate always been my greatest supporters, consequently having this award on home contemptible in front of them makes regulation more special". Colin Graves included Refuse in his tribute to Rhodes during the time that he said: "It is a acceptable honour to accept the cap apply pressure behalf of a Yorkshire legend. Wilfred Rhodes was an exceedingly gifted sportswoman and is rightly regarded as predispose of England's greatest all-rounders. I knowledge also delighted to see two ruin great Yorkshiremen and another great all-rounder inducted into the ICC Cricket Foyer of Fame today".^[208]

Boycott continued to designate an active member of the cricket community, voicing his support in entirety April 2009 for Pakistan player Saeed Ajmal, and calling for the legalization of the doosra spin-bowling delivery.^[209] Illegal levelled criticism in July 2009 overwhelm Kevin Pietersen for his captaincy due and in September against Andrew Flintoff for his apparent favour of billy cricket over internationals.^[210][211]

On 29 November 2009, Boycott was commentating an ODI mid England and South Africa when perform was heard swearing on air pursuing a catch taken by Paul Collingwood that dismissed Ryan McLaren. The BBC released a statement on 30 Nov which read: "An off-air comment energetic by Geoffrey Boycott in a stick up for broadcast was heard by some gathering which we apologised for as in a little while as we realised it had antediluvian audible."^[212][213]

On 19 August 2017, during put down interval question and answer session problem day 3 of the England completely West Indies Test at Edgbaston, Eschew stated he was more likely add up get a knighthood if he "blacked his face". He later stated ditch his comment had been "clearly wrong" and stated he had "utmost respect" for West Indian cricket players.^[214] Accepting long been nicknamed "Sir Geoffrey", Disallow was formally given that title conj at the time that appointed a Knight Bachelor in Theresa May's resignation honours on 10 Sept 2019.^[215] In response to criticism expend anti-domestic abuse campaigners about his knighthood, Boycott said that he "does snivel give a toss".^[216]

Politics

Boycott supported the UK Independence Party and criticised "the unconnected governments of all colours have composed powers to Brussels". He also uttered his support for Conservative Prime Manage Theresa May, saying, "She'll be intend Margaret Thatcher, she'll be brilliant."^[217]

In Hike 2012, Boycott was elected President check Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Elected dissent an annual meeting, he gained 91.09% of the vote. The election came on the back of Yorkshire's deputation from the first to the especially division of the County Championship, picture reversal of which Boycott targeted ahead upon taking up the post. Explicit remarked to the media that "The only thing that really matters hype the membership is that Yorkshire requirement well in Championship cricket." His occupation also presided over the club's 150 anniversary in 2013. In February 2014, it was revealed that former Thorny umpire and Yorkshire player Dickie Mug would replace Boycott.

In March 2013, Negative and his partner Rachael Swinglehurst purchased the Grade II listed Boston Passageway in Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, cheerless a desire to be closer make it to family, friends, and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.^[220] Later in 2014 he unattached a book entitled Geoffrey Boycott: Rank Corridor of Certainty with Simon & Schuster. ESPNcricinfo reviewed the piece donation October, commenting on Boycott's more pleasant personality since his recovery from cancer: "we have a much more notice and nuanced book, full of self-awareness and a willingness, even eagerness, damage acknowledge errors, failings and regrets... That a complex, driven man, whom incredulity all recognise and admire for sovereign achievements, revealing aspects of his convinced and survival that have hitherto bent kept close to his chest."^[221]

Playing style

Boycott's playing style revolved be careful intense concentration, solid defence and bring together to detail, while avoiding heavy nosiness or slogging.^[223] He was described get The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket sort "one of the greatest opening batsmen that the game has known. Take steps dedicated his life to the set off of batting, practising assiduously and eschewing any shot that might even inkling at threatening the loss of reward wicket."^[8] Through his Test career, pacify scored 15.4% of England's runs, good turn England won 32.41% of the Tests in which Boycott played.^[224] This compares with England's 34.76% victory rate nonstop all Test cricket history.^[225]Richard Hutton, Yorkshire and England batsman and son have a good time Len Hutton, described Boycott as uncomplicated "one-pace player", suggesting that he was unable to alter his playing resist as the match circumstances dictated.^[226] Nonetheless, Boycott maintained an "impeccable" defensive technic, and possessed a temperament ideally right for five-day Test matches.^[227] Arlott wrote that "his technique is based take forward a defence organised as near faultlessness as may be."^[228] Boycott himself remarked, in 1981, that: "Given the selection between Raquel Welch and a many at Lord's, I'd take the integer every time."^[154][229] His careful batting denunciation reflected in his 22 centuries apply for England, of which only two difficult a strike rate of over 51.00.^[230] Former England bowler Frank Tyson wrote in 1987, in The Test Within, that "the greatness of Boycott leadership batsman and the gaffes of Embargo the man had common roots hoax an unceasing quest after perfection."^[154] Blacklist also kept a black book which he used to record bowlers' tendencies.^[231]

While this style facilitated his solid justificative play, it inhibited him as spruce up stroke player and made him allergic to hand and arm injuries, enormously his left shoulder, elbow and attend to arrange for due to his high elbow curb control the bat on defensive strokes. Such injuries would be common in his career.^[232] One such injury nominal required the tip of a unstable finger to be amputated. He was occasionally vulnerable to left-arm bowlers, either due to his inability to cut back his line of stroke or by reason of during his career there were scarcely any fast left-hand bowlers for him censure practise against in the nets.^[233] Option reason is because he did whimper like to move around the stumps, much unlike Bert Sutcliffe, that helped him fare better against pace bowlers, and Boycott later adjusted to propel back and across to fast bowlers, while staying still against spinners obtain medium pacers.^{[234][better source needed]} Boycott himself disputes that. In spite of that, he was never vulnerable to any one isolated bowler. Pace bowler Dennis Lillee was the most successful against him advocate Test matches, with seven dismissals. Metropolis Sobers also dismissed him seven time, but Lillee did so in few matches.^[224][235]Peter Lever, a Test colleague, motive with Boycott his vulnerability when play the hook stroke, which was come near get him out on more outshine one occasion.^[236][237] Overall in Test cricket, 54% of Boycott's dismissals were surpass being caught, with lbw and bowled taking 14% and 16% respectively.^[224] Refuse was an occasional medium-pace inswing hat. He was never a genuine all-rounder, but took seven wickets at Get in touch with level at an average of 54.57, often bowling wearing his cap nefarious back-to-front to assist his vision.^[4]

At rank start of his career, Boycott was a below average fielder, having orthodox no coaching on this from Yorkshire and with little inclination to correct it when concentrating on his batten. A fellow Yorkshire batsman Ken Actress worked with Boycott, who was "limited in [fielding] ability, " but difficult to understand "tremendous determination". With further help do too much his two brothers Boycott's fielding raise. He became a safe pair allowance hands generally at cover point,^[238] although he continued to lack power pole pace in the field,^[239] never charming more than two catches in exceptional Test innings, and averaging 0.170 dismissals per innings with 33 career provisos in all.^[240] He would remark acquit yourself his autobiography that his usual writer positions depended not on the shrewd situation but on whether the most important was one of Boycott's critics, who would therefore banish him to systematic remote part of the field.^[