Botham: Scrap boring Lord's as a Test venue and get England out of London

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Leave it: Hashim Amla's Test-saving ton lasted just short of six hours and 242 balls

The former England captain is furious about London’s domination of Test cricket in
general and can’t stand cricket’s headquarters where a docile five-day pitch has seen six successive bore draws.

And Botham accused the ECB of putting cash before cricket, saying: 'London is all about filling corporate boxes and hospitality.'

Botham added: 'This Test has settled it. For me, English cricket is about winning matches. If you continue to play on surfaces like Lord’s that are designed to last five days, then you are going to kill the enthusiasm that result-driven cricket creates.

'You’ve got to ask how much do they want it to be a result wicket? Since 2000, only 23 per cent of all Tests have been drawn and we’ve had six in a row at Lord’s. Winning
cricket matches is good for England, not bore draws in front of the prawn sandwich brigade.

'The Ashes success of 2005 did more for English cricket than any PR campaign could ever do and where did we play the games we won that summer? Edgbaston and
Trent Bridge.

'Get the pitches relaid and get some life into them, because this isn’t good. Old Trafford has been relaid and it is the best cricket wicket in the country.'

Botham, now a Sky TV pundit, added: 'How can it be right that three Tests out of seven every summer are played in London?

'Just because Lord’s and The Oval bring in big money, they are given preferential treatment. Now we’ve got Durham and the Rose Bowl too. Let’s put cricket
before the coffers.'