Monday 3 October 2016 17:50, UK
England legend Sir Ian Botham looks set to take a role with crisis club Durham.
Durham have been relegated to Division Two as a punishment for their financial problems, and will start the 2017 season on -48 points.
In addition they will no longer be able to host Test matches at Chester-le-Street, though they will be able to stage ODI and T20 matches.
Botham, who played for Durham in their first season in first-class cricket back in 1992, is hoping to help his old club.
"We have to try and do something to put everything back into sync," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "At this stage it is very early, but yes, I'll be throwing my hat into the ring to help. We'll see what happens."
Asked what his role would be, he said: "That's to be decided - that's what the discussions will be about. It's in its infancy so we'll just wait and see. But I'm very pleased and happy to be involved. The north-east is where I live. The north-east deserves to have a first-class cricket team."
The Sky Sports expert added: "You feel for the players - it's not their fault that the administration have got it wrong."
Durham have produced a succession of talented players who have gone on to play for England, including Steve Harmison, Paul Collingwood, Ben Stokes, Liam Plunkett, Graham Onions and Mark Wood.
They have a number of talented youngsters such as batsmen Keaton Jennings and Jack Burnham, who are being tipped as a future England players.
"There is a lot of work to be done but the players, there's a lot of good young players coming through the Durham system," Botham said. "You only need to look at what they have achieved in the ranks below the first team. It's been exceptional at all levels.
"I'm afraid relegation is part and parcel of it. The points deduction, well, we'll just have to win the first couple of games. That's what they've got to say to themselves. All in all…the tree has only just been planted."
Durham have estimated debts of around £7.5m and the ECB has helped them out with a £3.8m package - though the price of that was relegation, the points penalty and a number of other restrictions.
Asked how the former champions have found themselves in this position, Botham said: "It's not my problem - it's not the problem that we're looking at.
"What we are looking at is trying to rescue a wonderful place, Durham and a wonderful cricket team. They have done well over the years.
"They've been exceptional. That will continue I'm sure. It's a long tunnel. There is definitely light at the end of it. I hope the players will sit down and think about it and say 'ok, we're Durham boys, let's get this right'.
"It was a privilege for me to play in the first Durham side. If I can help in any way in this it will be very pleasing."
