IAN BOTHAM admitted in the High Court yesterday that he demanded £500,000 tax free to tour South Africa in 1989. The former England cricketer also wanted proper compensation for any contracts and endorsements he might lose.
"It's quite obvious you had no objection to going to South Africa if the money was right," suggested Mr George Carman, counsel for the former Pakistani captain Imran Khan, who is being sued by Botham and his former England teammate, Allan Lamb, over allegations of racism.
No, it says quite clearly in my autobiography that I ended up saying no because I changed my mind," Botham said. "You won't find any reference to finance. Race was the reason at the end of the day why I didn't go."
Botham said that he listened to the South African invitation "out of pique or spite" because he was not included in England's team for a tour of the West Indies.
. The England captain, Mike Atherton, is to be called to give evidence on ball tampering.