LONDON, April 8: England great Ian Botham has accepted a position at Somerset, the club where he made his name but left in controversial circumstances almost two decades ago.

Former all-rounder Botham, now a television and newspaper pundit, will act as an advisor to new Somerset chairman Giles Clarke as the west country club bids to get back into the first division of both the county championship and one-day league.

“I still have a great feeling for the club, the ground and the supporters so I’m delighted to be doing my bit to try and put Somerset back at the top level of English cricket,” Botham said on Monday.

“I watch more cricket in a year than most do in a lifetime and I’ll be keeping my eyes and ears open on the club’s behalf, hopefully finding a player or two to recommend who might strengthen the team.

“Any other advice I can give Giles and the club I will be glad to offer. It would mean a lot to me to see Somerset successful again after relegation in two competitions last year.”

Botham, who spent 15 years with Somerset, sensationally quit the county in 1985 after they sacked West Indies duo Viv Richards and Joel Garner.

But Botham, who has had a stand named after him at Somerset’s Taunton headquarters, insisted he wanted to put the bitterness of 18 years ago behind him.

“I would be stupid to let a couple of bad months at the end of my time here detract from 15 very happy years.”—AFP