Published: Oct 03, 2014, 08:01 AM (IST)
Edited: Oct 29, 2014, 05:39 PM (IST)
It’s the year 2020, Geoff Boycott and Ian Botham are now into their 80s and 60s respectively. The two are sitting on a park bench feeding pigeons and talking about cricket. Suddenly, Boycott turns to Botham and says, “Do you think there’s cricket in heaven?”
Botham thinks for a moment and replies, “I dunno. But let’s make a deal: If I die first, I’ll come back and tell you if there’s cricket in heaven, and if you die first, you do the same.”
They smile and shake hands.
A few months later, Botham passes away. Boycott now continues with his routine of sitting in the park and feeding the pigeons when one day he hears a voice whisper, “Boycs… Boycs!”
Boycott responds: “Both! Is that you?”
“Yes it is,” whispers Both’s ghost.
Boycott, still amazed, asks, “So Both, is there cricket in heaven?”
“Well,” says Botham, “I’ve got good news and bad news.”
“Gimme the good news first,” says Boycott.
Botham says, “Well… there is cricket in heaven.”
Botham reacts, “That’s great! What news could be bad enough to ruin that!?”
Botham sighs and whispers, “You’re the opening batsman in day after tomorrow’s game!”
