Ian Botham launched a scathing attack on David Cameron on Wednesday night and accused him of going back on his word to do more to increase the participation levels of cricket in schools.

Speaking at Lord’s as he delivered the 2014 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture, Botham told those in attendance that he urged Cameron and the government to do more to get kids playing cricket and that he was told there would be a meeting in the future to discuss ideas to solve this problem.

But the Prime Minister is yet to get back to the former England captain, despite “making all the right noises” when the two met.

Botham said: “Why aren’t the government focusing on sport as a necessity in the school curriculum?

“This subject drives me insane. I feel it is my duty to point out the problems that face sport in schools and specifically cricket.

“The problem is now that schools are too big and there is no personal touch with the teachers. And as schools get bigger, one of the things you lose are your playing fields.

“Then, of course, if you do want to stay behind, there is pressure on the teachers.

“Come on David Cameron — when I came to Downing Street to meet you, you made all the right noises and promised to come back to me with your ideas. I’m still waiting.”
Botham also told listeners that he believes cricket would be better off without the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the power and corruption it has in the game.

The 58-year-old former England captain said: “I’m worried about the IPL — in fact, I feel it shouldn’t be there at all as it is changing the priorities of world cricket.

“Players are slaves to it. Administrators bow to it.

“How on Earth did the IPL own the best players in the world for two months a year and not pay a penny to the boards who brought these players into the game?

“I know this has been modified to a degree but it is still an imbalance. The IPL is too powerful for the long-term good of the game.

“Corruption is enough of a problem in itself but the IPL compounds that problem given it provides the perfect opportunity for betting and therefore fixing.

“To kill the serpent, you must cut off its head. The ICC (International Cricket Council) Anti-Corruption Unit must pursue the root of the problem and if necessary expose the big names.”

Botham also spoke about domestic Twenty20 cricket, suggesting there is danger of “overkill” of that form suffocating the County Championship.

“We should be aware of overkill of T20,” Botham said.

“When it began, we played the tournament in a three-week burst and it worked. Since then, we have played more and more of it, and guess what? The crowds haven’t got bigger.”