Botham to boost baby food

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 1

Botham to boost baby food

By

JOHN COFFEY

Disappointment that lan Botham will not be coming to New Zealand with the Queens* land cricket team this month has been soured by a strong suspicion that the famous English all-rounder never intended to play in New Zealand. Botham left Brisbane yesterday to return to his homeland. Accompanied by his manager, Tom Byron, Botham’s immediate priority is a starring role in a television commercial for Heinz baby food. The man whose exploits on and off the cricket fields have made him something of a

legend flew from Brisbane only; 24 hours after saddened cricket officials had announced his non-availability for ; Queensland’s fixtures against Wellington, Otago and Canterbury. A /statement issued by the chairman of the Canterbury, association, Brian Adams, on Tuesday said that Botham had “suffered a groin injury during , the 'last inter-state game in Australia and had been advised to rest for 10 days.” Newspaper and cricket sources in Brisbane were yesi terdhy mystified at suggestion! that Botham had been i injured playing against New

South Wales at Newcastle last week-end. A telephone call to the Queensland Cricket Association revealed that Botham was not expected back in Brisbane for a week, and that his next commitment for the state team was against Western Australia at Brisbane on December 18. Australian newspaper reports were of Queensland’s triumph rather than Botham’s troubles during the mammoth 333-run defeat of New South DV ales. One of the match highlights, according to the “Australian,” was a mighty hit by Botham

which “sent the ball high over the H.L. Wheeler Stand and out of the Newcastle Sports Ground. It was never seen again.” The “Sydney Morning Herald” on Tuesday quoted a boastful Botham predicting Queensland would win the Sheffield Shield for the first time. No hint of a groin strain, Mr Adams met Lion Breweries officials when Botham’s defection became known. It was not intended that any legal action would be taken about the apparent breach of contract.