Ian Chappell has come out swinging over England legend Ian Botham’s claim that he decked the former Australian captain in a bar room brawl 30 years ago.
Chappell, 64, accused Botham of “peddling his lies” in the new book and questioned the merits of his recently acquired title, saying “someone is going to regret awarding him a knighthood.”
Chappell’s version, recounted in the Bulletin magazine, is radically different from what he labelled Botham’s “fairytale.”
He claims that after a verbal exchange, Botham held an empty glass to his throat and said “I’ll cut you from ear to ear.”
Chappell said he told Botham that such an attack would prove he was a coward, prompting the Englishman to shove him in the chest, pushing him over in his chair. He said his rival then suggested they settle the matter outside but the Australian replied that he didn’t fight and Botham was not worth ending up in a hospital or jail cell over.
Chappell said he taunted Botham as he left and Australian fast bowler Ian Callen had to restrain the Englishman by clutching him in a bear hug.
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