Ian Botham comes face-to-face with Ashes rival Ian Chappell after 45-year feud as Brit fumes at being called ‘a coward’
CRICKET rivals Ian Botham and Ian Chappell reignited their 45-year feud while appearing on a new documentary.
Chappell claims that Botham threatened him in a Melbourne bar all the way back in 1977 – and has also labelled his foe a “coward and a bully”.
Channel 9Ian Botham and Ian Chappell were reunited for an awkward exchange[/caption]
The former Aussie captain, 79, maintains that Botham threatened to cut him with a beer glass.
Botham, 67, has called Chappell’s accusation “bulls***”.
And he revealed in his autobiography: “I gave him three official warnings, all of which he ignored, so the next time he started, I just flattened him.”
Aussie broadcaster Channel 9 brought the rival duo together for their documentary entitled “The Longest Feud”.
Anyone that thought the two men may bury the hatchet were forced to immediately think again.
With Chappell seemingly reluctant to even lay eyes on Botham, the Englishman said: “Things don’t change.”
His Aussie counterpart hit back: “Why would they?”
Botham replied “No reason at all,” before Chappell awkwardly hit back: “As long as you’re happy with that, that’s good.”
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Bitter rivals since the 70s, now they’re face to face!#TheLongestFeud: Chappell v Botham | Tonight 7.30pm on @Channel9 and @9Now pic.twitter.com/m6UAgpJDuA
— Channel9 (@Channel9) June 26, 2023
The former England captain said: “I’m very happy with that. I’ve heard so many lies I don’t want to get involved.”
And as the exchange descended into a petty squabbling match, Chappell jibed: “What, the ones you’ve been telling you mean?”
Botham was not in the mood, quickly hitting back: “So what glass did I threaten you with? That’s just complete bulls***.”
He later dramatically added: “I should have finished you off when I had the chance.”
Botham also called his foe “sad and lonely”.
Both men were asked to try to muster something nice to say about the other.
Botham went first, saying: “He was a good player and I would think he would’ve been a good captain, but then I’m running out.”
Chappell was even less kind, blasting: “Well apart from being the worst long-time commentator of all… coward, gutless and they’re all the good things I can say.”
Botham didn’t take kindly to being called a coward.
He fired back: “I’ll tell you what, in a minute I’ll show you what I can do if you keep on.
“A coward? I am many things but I’m not a coward.”
GettyIan Botham has not forgotten his decades-old feud[/caption]
AFP – GettyIan Chappell called Botham a ‘coward’[/caption]
