Sir Ian Botham

London: Sir Ian Botham, saluted by Mike Brearley as a “near genius,” spoke to The Telegraph on Monday morning. Now 51, the former England captain was candid. Witty too.

The following are excerpts

On whether life has changed after knighthood

(Laughs) No… It’s just the same.

On being addressed as Sir Ian

It’s something very nice, but I don’t go around with a sign on my head which says I’m a knight… It’s nice to be recognised for the work I’ve done… I’ve been honoured... Being addressed as Sir Ian goes with it…

On what got him involved with Leukaemia Research (a British charitable organisation)

I’d broken my leg in the 1977 series against Australia and to reach the physiotherapy unit in the Taunton hospital, I had to go through the children’s ward… They were dying (of cancer)… It felt terrible that they wouldn’t be around in a couple of weeks or months… Till then, I didn’t even know what leukaemia meant… That one experience changed me and I went around creating awareness about the disease.

On whether some other experience also affected him in a big way

So many… Leukaemia remains an ongoing concern.

On the marathon walks he started in the mid-Eighties

I’ve already walked over 8,000 miles… When I started, there was a 20 per cent chance of survival… Today, the percentage is 80 and England, I understand, leads the world in leukaemia research… The good thing is that many of those who had leukaemia and joined me in the earliest walks now come and walk with their children… It’s so satisfying. (After a pause) If I’m not doing walks, I’m organising charity balls… Golfing events… All to raise funds. As you know, I’m president of Leukaemia Research. Those who know me well will tell you I don’t quit once I start something.

On whether he plans to extend his work to India

Look, leukaemia is worldwide and the research being done is going to benefit patients all over — in India, Pakistan… Not only in England. It’s not a one-dimensional thing… I’m also, for example, involved with the tsunami work in Sri Lanka… There are many strings to the bow…

On whether more cricketers should follow his and Imran Khan’s example

A lot of them do… They support charities and so on… I get a lot of sportsmen, not cricketers alone, to help on my walks… Help in the raising of funds. If one has the will and determination to do something, then time can be found.

On whether it has been difficult living up to the image of a role model

I haven’t created that image… In any case, it’s better living up to that image than having your butt kicked around on the field… That image comes if you give people pleasure… When playing, I was an entertainer… Gave people pleasure… If I had a good day in the middle, there was a fair chance everybody watching would also have been having a good day.

On the defining moment in his career

Too many… Too many… The first time I played for my club… The first time I played for Somerset… The first time I played for England…

On whether there was a regret when he called it a day (1992)

I don’t have regrets. I believe things happen for a reason… If I’d wanted to continue playing, I wouldn’t have retired.

On whether he envied a contemporary

No… The grass is seen as greener on the other side. Not for me, though… I’d really like to meet the person who has had as good a life as mine.

On the other great allrounders of his time — Imran, Richard Hadlee, Kapil Dev

I was honoured to be around at the same time… It was a great period to play in and we enjoyed the rivalry… Enjoyed the intensity of competition.

On the lack of quality allrounders in recent years

How many Muhammad Alis have we had? How many Sachin Tendulkars? They come along once in a while… Who knows, in ten years, we could have six good allrounders… Comes and goes…

On whether, after a legal battle, he’s now on talking terms with Imran

I’ve never had bad blood with anybody… I don’t have a problem with Imran.

On taking to golf in a big way

I think I first went to a course when I was four years old… My handicap is seven… I’ve got many friends on the circuit… Ernie Els, Sam Torrence…

On Tiger Woods

I admire him… He’s exceptional and has done golf a lot of good… He and Jack Nicklaus have done so much for that sport… Nobody can be a Tiger Woods without his mental toughness, his ability, skill… His determination… The tunnel-vision… The ability to sacrifice… If you want something hard enough, you’ve got to work for it… Make sacrifices… You need to do everything. Woods hasn’t been a flash in the pan.

On the sacrifices he made

Plenty… I’m a happy man today, but had to make sacrifices when I was playing… Couldn’t, for example, give enough time to the family… There’s no choice if you want to be the best and want to compete with the best.

On whether he has been superstitious

Not particularly.

On son Liam

He’s 30 now… He had a neck injury and retired from rugby… He runs a successful travel agency.

Finally, on how would he like to be remembered — on-field heroics or off-the-field achievements

(Laughs again) Well, I don’t quite intend going anywhere just yet! It’s not part of my game plan… It’s not so much about how I want to be remembered, it’s about how people want to remember me… If I’m not here, it won’t matter what I think…