Good Lord: How Triple M beefed up its cricket commentary

When you’re an ordinary rank and file member of the public who’s speaking to a Lord, Baron, Sir (or in Ian Botham’s case, all of the above) the first order of business is working out what to actually call him.

“My official title is a gobful,” the English cricket legend wryly admits. “Baron/Lord Botham of Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, OBE.”

But he says ‘Beefy’ will do just nicely, thank you.

And, along with winemaking, radio broadcasting has become one of his life’s passions.

Since joining the Triple M Cricket commentary team, Botham has brought a fresh perspective along with plenty of laugh-out-loud on-air moments.

In our chat on the latest ep of the Food Bytes with Sarah Patterson podcast which drops tomorrow (Thursday), Beefy tells me he’s having a blast on the Ms.

“I’m very, very lucky. I work with a great boss – Ewan Giles, who runs Triple M Cricket.”

Botham and his commentary box colleagues all get along well.

“They’re a great bunch,” he enthuses. “Nearly all ex-players.’

“I really enjoy it and I hope it continues for a long time, or as long as I can keep coming over.”

Giles, SCA‘s Head of Sports Content, tells Radio Today “You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who lives and breathes cricket like Lord Ian Botham. Having Beefy as part of the Triple M team has been a real privilege. His insight, passion, and deep understanding of the game has been a huge addition for our listeners.”

“He brings great gravitas to the call, and his presence in the commentary box continues to elevate Triple M’s cricket coverage.”

Botham transitioned from cricket into a prominent media career, becoming a commentator for major broadcasters in both the UK and here in Australia.

After retiring from international first class cricket, he was a regular fixture on Sky Sports for 23 years.

But offering up expert opinions and sticking to your guns can be a lonely place.

“There’s none of this ‘matey matey’ stuff, because that all turns on you,” he says.

Take the latest Ashes series.

“We had quite a lot of abuse from some players and some officials about England’s preparation,” Botham recalls.

Unleashing on Triple M, Beefy said “They should have played at least three warm-up games. They try and tell us ‘Oh, we’ve got too much cricket,’ You haven’t got too much cricket at all, and that’s been proven by the bowlers.”

“The bowlers aren’t match fit.”

Botham’s opinion hasn’t changed.

“I stand by what I say. And I think people have actually accepted that I’m not just an old has-been.”

“(There are those who might think) ‘Oh, you’re not playing now. You don’t know what the game’s about.’”

“Well, the game actually hasn’t changed very much.”

Images: SCA and supplied