Botham aims to continue family success in Melbourne

Lord Botham and his grandson James excelling at their respective sports

Men’s international friendly: Australia v Wales

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne Date: Saturday, 13 July Kick off: 10:45 BST

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary, followed by report and reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.

Wales flanker James Botham says he is used to being bowled many questions about his famous cricketing grandfather.

But perhaps even he did not expect the delivery he received this week from an Australian journalist ahead of Wales' second Test against Australia in Melbourne.

"Did he put you on his knee as a youngster and teach you about the hatred of Australia?" came the tongue-in-cheek enquiry.

It was a reference to the past exploits of Ian Botham - now Lord Botham - against Australia during his highly successful career as one of England's greatest all-rounders. Botham was involved in feuds with Australians, most notably their former captain Ian Chappell.

Botham junior saw the funny side of the question.

"He's got some good stories, but we don't talk about it too much as a family," said Botham.

"I'm just grateful for what he's done and his achievements.

"I know he had some hard times out here and there are some things he probably did wrong. But that's for me to look at and learn from.

"It's just a learning curve, the whole life. He's been one of the best role models for me, in the sense of how he's dealt with things. It's got me to where I am now."

Repeating Melbourne magic

Three generations of Bothams at a Wales Under-18s game in Swansea in 2016

Wales will hope Botham can make the same Melbourne impact as his famous grandfather did 38 years ago in the 1986 Boxing Day Ashes Test.

Botham's five-wicket first-innings haul across the road at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) set England up for a successful retention of the Ashes.

Australia collapsed from 108 for three to 141 all out and England ended up winning by an innings and 14 runs in three days.

It put them 2-0 ahead in the series with one game left, meaning no way back for Australia.

"I know grandad has done some stuff on the board at the MCG," said Botham.

"It would be nice to get myself a win out here as well."

So what was it like growing up with a legend?

"I get asked this question a lot," said Botham.

"It can be difficult, only if you make it difficult. I've always used it as a drive, especially in rugby.

"Where I am now and everything I've got is from him working hard, achieving and grafting.

"It's a drive for me to do the same and create my own legacy.

"He has been there from day one. He's been like my father at times. but never put pressure on me.

"He's sat back, guided me, but let me get on. It's the best advice he's ever done."

Was the Botham name ever a burden?

"It was more as a youngster, when you're growing up you'd get people giving you stick," said Botham.

"You'd react and then you'd realise, that's what they want.

"If you don't react and you're not bothered - which I'm not now - it goes away.

"With what I'm doing now, it's quietened down. It used to be the old saying 'he's only there because of his grandad'.

"That's more of a drive. If someone says that, I'm going to prove you wrong.

"It's been a rollercoaster, but a hell of an experience. I've learned a lot from him."

Forging his own path

James Botham made his Wales debut against Georgia in November 2020

Botham was born in Cardiff when his father Liam was playing rugby at the Arms Park.

After being overlooked for the 2023 World Cup, Botham returned for this year's Six Nations, but after starting and scoring a try in the opening defeat against Scotland in Cardiff, he suffered a knee injury that ruled him out for the rest of the tournament.

"That was mixed emotions," said Botham.

"I hadn't played for two years, came back in and then had the one game and got injured in that game so it was hard."

Botham was originally left out of the summer training squad, but was then called up for the injured Jac Morgan.

He started at open-side flanker in the 41-13 defeat against South Africa at Twickenham before his involvement in the two matches against Australia.

"After being called back in, I've just got to show what I'm about," said Botham.

"It's up to me now. The coaches have called me back in so I've got to cement myself here."

Replacing Wainwright

Warren Gatland (right) picked James Botham (left) in a match-day squad for the first time in the 2024 Six Nations

The 26-year-old has been called into a reshuffled starting back row after number eight Aaron Wainwright was ruled out because of a hamstring injury with Taine Plumtree switching to number eight.

Last week Botham thought he had scored with his first touch as a second-half replacement when he was driven over from a rolling maul, but the try was disallowed because of obstruction.

"It was mixed emotions, coming on and thinking you've scored," said Botham.

"Then a decision was made by the referee and that's final, so you just get on with it."

Botham will form a new-look trio that is completed by Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell.

"I've never played with Taine properly in terms of starting with him so I can't wait to see how that works out," said Botham.

"Tommy is great over the ball and makes life so much easier being in the back-row.

"I'm excited to see how it goes."

Botham admits Wainwright is a "massive loss" so he has big boots to fill. But fair to say, he is used to that.