August 6 (CRICKETNMORE) - Two of the greatest legends of the game, England's all-rounder Sir Ian Botham and West Indies explosive batsman Sir Vivian Richards are also known to be the best friends in cricketing world. While the two belong to different countries, their friendship has often been discussed as an example of great bonding they shared off the field.
Their friendship started when they used to share a common house whil playing for Somerset county and the friendship is still growing infact become more stronger with time. Off-late in an interview, Botham said that Vivian Richards is like his brother and has been present on all important occasions of his life.
In 1987, a new county rule regarding the foreign players was formed. As per the new rule, only one new overseas player was allowed in the team. Somerset appointed Peter Roebuck as their new captain who took a bold step of not renewing the contracts of Richards and Joel Garner for the season. Somerset decided to take on New Zealand's Martin Crowe as overseas player instead of West Indian pair Viv Richards and Joel Garner.
This incident upsets Botham and he refused to sign a new contract with Somerset in protest at the way his friends Richards and Garner had been treated and he promptly joined local rivals Worcestershire.
In an interview, Richards speaks about Botham," I’ve always said that, now we are getting older, if he goes before me I will drop everything to be at his family’s side to support them and do all I could for them and I know he would do the same for me. It’s in here."
Sahir
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