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Botham named observer for England team

England cricket great Ian Botham has been drafted in to help the struggling national side's selectors as they try to rebuild after England's early World Cup exit.

Botham has been named an observer, along with Leicestershire coach Jack Birkenshaw, the English Cricket Board announced yesterday. The board is also looking for a new coach in succession to David Lloyd who has stepped down.

Botham, now working as a television analyst and commentator, will report to England's selection panel of David Graveney, Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting.

"Both Jack and Ian have vast cricketing knowledge and experience, a proven record of success and see a large amount of cricket during the course of the season,'' chairman of selectors Graveney said. "As such, it makes sense to use that knowledge.''

Botham, who played 102 Tests between 1977 and '92, scoring 5,200 runs and taking 383 wickets, is an inspirational figure in English cricket and could be the man to lift the team's spirits.

Host England was knocked out of the ongoing World Cup after the first round sparking the latest round of soul-searching among national cricket authorities. It was the first time England had been knocked out in the first round and now it faces a series against New Zealand.

AP