Cricket world sends out wave of support after devastating news about Geoffrey Boycott

The cricket World sends messages of support to Geoffrey Boycott after the England icon revealed he had been diagnosed with throat cancer for the second time. The 83-year-old revealed on Tuesday that he was told last week that the cancer had returned after he was treated for the disease in 2002.

Boycott underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy 22 years ago and will undergo surgery in two weeks to remove the cancer. Boycott told the Daily Telegraph in the UK: “Over the last few weeks I have had an MRI scan, a CT scan, a PET scan and two biopsies. It has now been confirmed that I have throat cancer and will need surgery.

“I know from experience that to beat cancer a second time, I need excellent medical treatment and a lot of luck. And even if the surgery is successful, every cancer patient knows that they have to live with the possibility that the disease will return. So I’m just going to keep going and hope for the best.”

Cricket fans around the world were saddened by the devastating news, with Australian star Darren Lehman writing on social media: “Hope you’re OK legend. Lots of love from all of us. Stay strong, love to the family.”

The Armchair Cricket Podcast wrote: “Terrible news. Stay strong Geoffrey Boycott, you will do it again.” The Barmy Army’s official account said: “Sending our very best wishes to the legendary former England batsman.”

Another fan posted a photo of Boycott from his playing days and wrote: “Get well soon Geoffrey Boycott – show that damn disease that fighting spirit and I’m sure you’ll be fine!” And another wrote: “Damn. I’m so sorry. Good luck Geoffrey Boycott. He’s my hero, I grew up where he was born and watched him throughout my childhood.”

Geoffrey Boycott – a cricket icon on and off the field

Boycott is one of the few cricketers to have scored 100 centuries at first-class level. He scored over 8,000 runs in 108 Test matches for England at an average of nearly 48 and captained England in four Tests in 1978 in place of the injured Mike Brearley.

His 24-year first-class career ended with his dismissal by Yorkshire in 1986, before he went on to have a successful media career in print and television. In 2020, his stint as a commentator on BBC Radio’s Test Match Special ended after 14 years, with Boycott admitting that the quadruple bypass surgery he underwent in 2018 was a factor in his decision to end his BBC career.

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He continues to be a columnist for the telegraph in recent years and made some scathing remarks about England’s ‘Bazball’ approach last year after failing to bring the Ashes back from Australia. “England had the chance of a lifetime and blew it. The thought of losing the Ashes should give them nightmares,” he wrote last July.

“Before the series started, most people – myself included – felt there was not much difference between the two teams, but very quickly England showed that they had the edge man-to-man and as a team. The cricket England played was spectacular and their new batting technique deservedly received a lot of praise and recognition.”

with agencies