October 21, 1940, was the birthday of one of the most colourful and controversial cricketers from England, Sir Geoff Boycott. One of the stalwarts of the game during the 1960s and 1970s Boycott was a key part of the Yorkshire county and England national teams. His solidity at the top helped England to build a stable top order and they lost only 20 of the 108 Test matches Boycott played in the international stage. His tally of 8,114 runs was the world record for highest run aggregate at the time of his retirement which was later crossed by Sunil Gavaskar.
Despite being one of the top batsmen of the world, Boycott was in the news many times because of his selfish behaviour and self-obsession. He loved to bat and always wanted to bat long, even if it was not going as per the team requirement. He was dropped from the team due to slow batting after scoring 246 at Headingley against the touring Indians in 1967. There were many similar incidents including an infamous one during England’s tour of New Zealand. Interestingly he was the captain of the squad but in the second innings of the second Test match at Christchurch, he went into a shell despite team needing quick runs. A disappointed and furious vice-captain Bob Willis sent a young Ian Botham instructing him to run out Boycott which he duly achieved in the first ball he faced.
He was technically a superb batsman who was not popular with many of his teammates. During 1981-82 season he reached near the then world record of 8,032 runs by Sir Gary Sobers and became even more extra cautious. There was a period when he batted so safely that in six consecutive innings he did not hit even a single boundary. He faced 569 deliveries during those six innings and it is a Testimony of his solid technique that there was not even a streaky boundary through the edge of the bat. He finally came to India and broke the world record, post which he lost his interest in the game. During the Kolkata Test, he did not field due to a stomach bug and was later found in the Royal Kolkata Golf Course playing golf. Despite his arguments, the team management had enough and Boycott was sent back home. Post his return he took part in a rebel tour to South Africa and effectively brought curtain to his distinguished but controversial career.
During the mid-nineties, Boycott became a famous commentator and was very popular for his frank views on English and opposition players and for his eye for details.
