LONDON, Mar 2: Former Test all-rounder Ian Botham has put himself forward as the man to reverse England's slide into one of the also-rans of world cricket, reports Reuter.

Botham, who played 102 Test matches, scoring 5,200 runs and taking 383 wickets, said on a television sports quiz ’ programme he would be keen to take charge of the national team.

"I would like to have a go at managing the side. 1 have said before I would like to be involved." he said.

"Anyone with a bit of passion would like to have a go. We have quality players like Hick. Thorpe. Smith and Atherton but they are not gelling."

England had a miserable winter tour of South Africa, losing the Test series 1 -0 and • suffering a 6-1 hammering in tffc one-day internationals.

They have also made a wretched start to their World Cup campaign. An opening-match defeat by outsiders New. Zealand was followed by unconvincing victories pver the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands and another beating by South Africa.

Botham, now' 40. performed countless swashbuckling feats in a first-class career spanning 20 years but has frequently been at odds with the cricket establishment, criticising the English game's rulers for not making use of younger men who are more in touch with the players