Sir Ian Bothams impending return to Durham as chairman comes 25 years after he joined the county in the twilight of his playing career. Nike Air Force Καλυτερη Τιμη . The clubs ambition to shake up the first-class scene and its proximity to home convinced the England all-rounder in 1991 that the wrench of leaving Worcestershire after five happy seasons was worth it.It appeared the perfect match… On the upBotham wasnt the countys only big-name player - Australian Dean Jones and Wayne Larkins, his 13-Test England career recently over, teamed up with the likes of Paul Parker and Simon Hughes under the captaincy of David Graveney. It was Botham who stole the headlines, though, and many - including Beefy himself - expected Englands greatest all-rounder of all-time to lead the team after Durham became the first county to be granted first-class status for 70 years. So when Director of Cricket Geoff Cook preferred Graveney as skipper it didnt make for the happiest of starts. Dean Jones: scored 904 Championship runs for Durham in 1992 Instant impactBotham didnt disappoint in the countys maiden County Championship match against Leicestershire at the Racecourse in April 1992. He struck a run-a-ball second-innings century after claiming Durhams first two wickets in the big-time - dismissing Foxes skipper Nigel Briers caught and bowled for 12 before bowling current National Selector James Whitaker for just two on his way to figures of 2-51 off 25 overs. However his swaggering hundred, which featured seven fours and five sixes, couldnt save the new boys from a seven-wicket defeat.Still in the swingBotham would make just one more first-class hundred for Durham in his remaining 24 matches - his batting average for the county eerily echoing his final statistics for Worcestershire in half as many games, but his bowling a fading force. Bothams first-class batting record at Durham Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Highest Average 100 50 Ct 25 40 3 1,121 105 30.29 2 7 15 Bothams first-class batting record at Worcestershire Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Highest Average 100 50 Ct 54 75 6 2,097 161 30.39 4 10 36 Bothams first-class bowling record at Durham Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Best Average 5w 10w 507.5 108 1,599 39 4-11 41.00 0 0 Bothams first-class bowling record at Worcestershire Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Best Average 5w 10w 1,105 224 3,372 131 7-54 25.74 6 1 In June 1992, Botham became the first Durham player to play Test cricket for England, against Pakistan at Edgbaston, but by his own admission was a mere shadow of his best self in both that rain-ruined match and the Test that followed at Lords - the last of his 102 England caps.One final flingHow else to sign off? With a bit of Aussie bashing, of course. By the time the tourists rolled up at The Racecourse, Bothams mind was long made up that he wouldnt see out the 1993 season - a two-day defeat to Surrey in the Championship at the start of the month in which he made eight off eight balls across two innings on the same day deciding matters once it was clear he didnt have a chance of forcing his way back into Englands plans. Batting at six, Botham made a bullish 32 off 37 balls before falling to Steve Waugh before the match fizzled out into a draw. Bothams overall first-class batting record Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Highest Average 100 50 Ct 402 617 46 19,399 228 33.97 38 97 354 Bothams overall first-class bowling record Overs Runs Wickets Best Average 5w 10w 10,576.1 31,902 1,172 8-34 27.22 59 8 The aftermathLater on in his autobiography Dont tell Kath Botham would describe his move to Durham as one of the worst decisions he ever made. Generally speaking, I got on well with most of the playing staff, he wrote, but my real problems were with members of the committee. Initially, promises were made that were never kept and the level of in-fighting grew and grew. A quarter of a century on, Bothams comeback gives him the opportunity to fashion the club just as he played his cricket - his way. Ian Botham, pictured in Durham colours in 1992 Botham will be part of our team in India for all five of the Tests between India and England live on Sky Sports 2, starting with the first Test from 3.30am on Wednesday 9th November. Or watch the whole of the first Test for £10.99 with no contract, with a week pass from NOW TV. Also See: Botham confirmed as chairman Live cricket on Sky Get Sky Sports Cricket videos Nike Air Force 1 Low Φθηνα . Trailing by a goal after 20 minutes of play, Joe Pavelski responded with three goals and an assist as the Sharks snapped a two-game losing skid with a 5-2 victory over the struggling Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Nike Air Force Φθηνα .com) - Even-money favorite Liams Map proved a little too tough down the stretch and won Saturdays $100,000 Harlans Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream Park. http://www.airforce1greece.com/ .Y. - Phil Varone was the lone scorer in the shootout as the Rochester Americans edged the Toronto Marlies 3-2 on Sunday in American Hockey League action.MONTREAL -- Theyve composed chants just for Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard, roared for her until they went hoarse, and toasted her wins by fudging their way through "O Canada." Meet the "Genie Army" -- a dozen boisterous Aussies who, despite boasting zero connection to Canada, have become Bouchards unofficial cheerleaders at the Australian Open. Members of the weeks-old squad have jumped, danced and serenaded their way into an unmistakable grandstand presence during the Montreal teens impressive run at the event, where she has earned a semifinal spot Thursday. The devotees, mostly men in their 20s, have also fashioned red-and-white T-shirts that spell out Bouchards name, flapped banners for her during matches, and lobbed plush animals -- each of them native to Australia -- to her on the court following each of her victories. Though they have had little face-to-face interaction with Bouchard, they have certainly commanded her attention in Melbourne. "The crowd here has been amazing, especially the Genie Army," Bouchard, 19, said Tuesday during an on-court interview after beating Ana Ivanovic. She then pointed up to her noisy, personal cheering section. "Ive had so much fun. Thank you guys." The inspiration behind a brigade dedicated to Bouchard came after a bunch of Australian buddies watched her upset Ivanovic last year at Wimbledon, said one of the Army members. In December, as the Australian Open approached, Jacob Wright said the crew decided to become her own booster club, so they started making shirts and penning Bouchard chants. The Genie Army was born. "Shes just a great tennis player," Wright, 20, told The Canadian Press in a Skype interview from Melbourne. "Obviously, shes a good-looking girl as well, and were young guys, but she is a really good tennis player. Its really, really good fun to watch." Their movement has had nothing to do with patriotism, either. When asked whether any of them had a connection to Canada, he replied: "None of us." Wright said they caught Bouchards attention during her first-round match, which was held on a more-intimate court that brings fans closer to the players. Six of them showed up for the event and were lucky enough to have their photos taken with Bouchard, get her autograph, and exchange a few words with their favourite player after the victory. The Genie Army nation was thrilled, Wright added, when Bouchard later told an interviewer she hoped they would show up for her next match. They havent missed one since -- and their ranks have doubled to about 112. Nike Air Force Ελλαδα. Wright said it has been a bit of a give-and-take relationship, with Bouchard thanking her believers in interviews and by making gestures, such as posting a couple of photos of them on her Twitter feed. The connection likely hit its only bumpy patch on Tuesday when she was asked in a post-match interview about who she would like to date, if she could choose anyone in the world. An embarrassed Bouchard, who appeared to be taken off guard by the question, blurted out the name of Canadian pop star Justin Bieber. In TV footage, members of the Genie Army were shown waving off her choice. They remain committed, however, to backing Bouchard for the long haul, even if they initially didnt expect it to last. Wright admitted they never predicted Bouchard, the tournaments 30th seed, would advance to the semifinal, but theyve enjoyed the longer-than-expected ride. Bouchard, in fact, became the first Canadian to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in 30 years. "My voice doesnt usually sound like this, Im pretty husky from a week of just full-on yelling as loud as I can," said Wright, who was wearing a white T-shirt with a red Maple Leaf and a Bouchard autograph. "But yeah, weve just been yelling, chanting -- and overall the response from the crowds been really good." He said group members have also been surprised by the notoriety theyve amassed throughout the tournament, growing so big that they have been interviewed by media outlets and have frequently been asked to pose for photos with other fans. "Well be standing there for 20 minutes or something (after matches)," said Wright, whose group has an online presence on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, where .GenieArmy was trending after Tuesdays win. "Its getting really full of fun." But their primary mission has not changed since Day 1: support Bouchard. During her matches, the crew can be heard belting out custom chants from the bleachers, including a fight song usually reserved for when she first steps onto the hardcourt. "We are the Army, the Genie Army, and we are mental, and we are mad," a clapping Wright chanted as he began a demonstration of the mantra. The gang has even sung the Canadian national anthem, though Wright admits only a couple of them know the words. The first time they attempted "O Canada," he said they received some welcome help from Canadian fans in the crowd. "We started it off, but then we had a lot of Canadians around us, so they sort of finished it off for us," Wright said. "It wasnt a very good rendition." ' ' '