Grandson of Ian Botham vows to learn from English cricket great’s mistakes in Wales rugby journey

“He’s obviously done things wrong in the past. So I don’t want to be like that.” Welsh Blindside flanker James Botham does not want to repeat the trappings of sporting fame his grandfather was guilty of. He speaks to JAMIE PANDARAM.

Wales rugby player James Botham with his fiancee Izzy. Picture: Supplied

THE grandson of cricketing legend Ian Botham has vowed to avoid the mistakes of the great all-rounder as he prepares to take on the Wallabies.

James Botham, Wales’ blindside flanker, doesn’t need to look far to see the trappings of sporting fame.

Ian Botham has spoken openly in the past about how an extramarital affair with Sydney waitress Kylie Verrells, that began while he was commentating in Australia during the 1998 Ashes series, nearly cost him his marriage to wife Kath.

Ian Botham who is the United Kingdoms trade envoy to Australia, is pictured at the British Consulate General in Collins St. Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

He was also involved in a carpark altercation with Australian rival Ian Chappell at Adelaide Oval that remains unforgiven.

His grandson, playing his 13th Test on Saturday night, will return to Wales after their final match against Queensland next week to wed his fiancee Izzy, and the 26-year-old is determined to learn from Botham’s errors.

Wales rugby player James Botham with his fiancee Izzy. Picture: Supplied

“Especially now with social media and things like that, you’ve got to be careful,” James Botham said.

“And actually when you think about it, it can make you a better person because you don’t get off the rails.

“He’s obviously done things wrong in the past. So I don’t want to be like that, I don’t want to caught out, don’t ever want to put myself in that situation.”

Botham added: “I’m just grateful really for what he’s done and the achievements he’s done.

“And I know he had some hard times out here and some things he probably did wrong. But that’s also for me to look at and to learn from.

“It’s just a learning curve, his whole life is. And he’s been one of the best role models for me in the sense of how he’s dealt with things.”

Ian has played a crucial role in James’ development and his decision to quit cricket aged 18 to pursue a full-time rugby career.

Botham came off the bench last week but after injury to Aaron Wainwright, starts his first Test against Australia at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on Saturday night.

James Botham tries to avoid a tackle against the Wallabies in the first Test. Picture: Saeed KHAN / AFP

Botham with family members including his cricketing legend grandfather Ian. Picture: Supplied

Having a famous surname had its challenges.

“It was more [when I was] young, growing up you get people giving you giving you stick, and then you’d react and, and at the end of the day you realise as you grow up that’s what they want,” Botham said.

“So the more you react, the better it is for them. And it’s only going to get worse.

“If you don’t react and you’re not bother, which I’m not, it just goes away.

“And to be honest, it’s kind of quietened down because it used to be the old saying, ‘Oh, he’s only there because of his granddad’ or whatever, that kind of thing.

“So that’s even more of a drive when someone says that, it’s like ‘Now I’m going to prove you wrong’.

“It’s been it’s been a roller coaster, but it’s definitely been a hell of an experience. And I’ve definitely learnt a lot from him and will going forward.”

Botham has learned to carry the family legacy.

“It can be difficult only if you make it difficult,” he said.

“I’ve always kind of used it as a drive, especially with the rugby, because he did what he did in cricket and where I am now and everything I’ve got is from him achieving and working hard and grafting.

Ian Botham at his pomp in the 1980s. Picture: Renilson

“So for me, it’s kind of like a drive to do the same, like getting married now and everything like that, so to kind of have my own family and to try and create my own legacy is a massive drive.

“And he has been there from day one. He’s been almost like my father at times, in the sense of and he’s never put pressure on me. You see some parents and grandparents absolutely hammering them, trying to get him to do this, ‘You need to do that’. And he’s literally sat back and just guided me and let me just get on. And it’s the best advice probably he’s ever done.”

Cardiff-born Botham made his Test debut in 2020 but after nine games, his career stagnated through injury and non-selection.

He was brought back into the fold at the start of this year’s Six Nations by coach Warren Gatland.

Originally published as Grandson of Ian Botham vows to learn from English cricket great’s mistakes in Wales rugby journey