View source for Geoffrey Boycott

{{Short description|English cricketer (born 1940)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| honorific_prefix = [[Knight Bachelor|Sir]]
| name = Geoffrey Boycott
| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}
| country = England
| caption = Watercolour artwork of Geoffrey Boycott
| nickname = {{Flatlist|
* Sir Geoffrey<ref>McKinstry, pp. ix–i.</ref>
* Thatch<ref name="cricpro"/>
}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1940|10|21|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Fitzwilliam, West Yorkshire|Fitzwilliam]], West Riding of Yorkshire, England
| heightft = 5
| heightinch = 10
| batting = Right-handed
| bowling = Right-arm medium
| role = [[Opening batsman]]
| international = true
| internationalspan = 1964–1982
| testdebutdate = 4 June
| testdebutyear = 1964
| testdebutagainst = Australia
| testcap = 422
| lasttestdate = 1 January
| lasttestyear = 1982
| lasttestagainst = India
| odidebutdate = 5 January
| odidebutyear = 1971
| odidebutagainst = Australia
| odicap = 1
| lastodidate = 20 December
| lastodiyear = 1981
| lastodiagainst = India
| club1 = [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire]]
| year1 = {{nowrap|1962–1986}}
| club2 = [[Northern Transvaal cricket team|Northern Transvaal]]
| year2 = 1971/72
| columns = 4
| column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1 = 108
| runs1 = 8,114
| bat avg1 = 47.72
| 100s/50s1 = 22/42
| top score1 = 246[[not out|*]]
| deliveries1 = 944
| wickets1 = 7
| bowl avg1 = 54.57
| fivefor1 = 0
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 3/47
| catches/stumpings1 = 33/–
| column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| matches2 = 36
| runs2 = 1,082
| bat avg2 = 36.06
| 100s/50s2 = 1/9
| top score2 = 105
| deliveries2 = 168
| wickets2 = 5
| bowl avg2 = 21.00
| fivefor2 = 0
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling2 = 2/14
| catches/stumpings2 = 5/–
| column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches3 = 609
| runs3 = 48,426
| bat avg3 = 56.83
| 100s/50s3 = 151/238
| top score3 = 261[[not out|*]]
| deliveries3 = 3,685
| wickets3 = 45
| bowl avg3 = 32.42
| fivefor3 = 0
| tenfor3 = 0
| best bowling3 = 4/14
| catches/stumpings3 = 264/–
| column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches4 = 313
| runs4 = 10,095
| bat avg4 = 39.12
| 100s/50s4 = 8/74
| top score4 = 146
| deliveries4 = 1,975
| wickets4 = 30
| bowl avg4 = 40.26
| fivefor4 = 0
| tenfor4 = 0
| best bowling4 = 3/15
| catches/stumpings4 = 99/–
| medaltemplates =  <!-- Mention Host Names for Team Sports-->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{cr|ENG}}}} 
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1979 Cricket World Cup|1979 England]]|}}
| date = 7 December
| year = 2008
| source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1228/1228.html CricketArchive
}}

'''Sir Geoffrey Boycott''' (born 21 October 1940) is a former [[Test cricket]]er, who played cricket for [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire]] and [[England cricket team|England]]. In a prolific and sometimes controversial playing career from 1962 to 1986, Boycott established himself as one of England's most successful opening [[batsman|batsmen]].<ref name=detect/> He was a part of the English squad which finished as [[1979 Cricket World Cup final|runners-up]] at the [[1979 Cricket World Cup]].

Boycott made his international debut in a 1964 [[Test match (cricket)|test match]] against [[Australia cricket team|Australia]].<ref name=guardbio/><ref name=hw150/> He was known for his ability to occupy the crease and became a key feature of England's Test batting line-up for many years, although he was less successful in his limited [[One Day International]] appearances.<ref name=k163/> He accumulated large scores – he is the equal fifth-highest accumulator of first-class centuries in history, eighth in [[List of first-class cricket records#Most runs in a career|career runs]] and the first English player to average over 100 in a season (1971 and 1979) – but often encountered friction with his teammates.<ref name=guardbio>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jul/04/cricket.features2|title=First and last|last=Greenslade|first=Nick|date=4 July 2004|work=The Guardian|access-date=7 May 2009|location=London|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224040728/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jul/04/cricket.features2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Records/First-class matches/Batting records/Most hundreds in a career">{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/251072.html|title=Records/First-class matches/Batting records/Most hundreds in a career|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=29 November 2009|archive-date=25 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125151615/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/251072.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket"/>

He was never highly popular among his peers, and journalist [[Ian Wooldridge]] commented of him that "Boycott, in short, walks alone",<ref name=mh21/> while cricket writer [[John Arlott]] wrote that Boycott had a "lonely" career.<ref name="a123">Arlott, p. 123.</ref> Others have said that the extent of his introverted nature has been exaggerated, and that while he was obsessed with his own success he was not by nature a selfish player.<ref name=mh22/> After 108 Test match appearances for England, Boycott's international career ended in 1982 when he was the leading Test run scorer with more than 8,000 Test match runs,<ref name=batstat1/> earning him an OBE for services to cricket.<ref name=guardbio/><ref name=flop/> When dropped from the Yorkshire team in 1986 he was the leading run scorer in first-class cricket. In 1965, while still a young player, he had been named as one of five [[Wisden Cricketer of the Year|Cricketers of the Year]] by ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]]'' Cricketers' Almanack, and he was inducted into the [[International Cricket Council]]'s Hall of Fame in 2009.<ref name=icchalloffame>{{cite web|url=http://www.catchthespirit.com/hall_of_fame/hall_of_famers.aspx|title=ICC Hall of Fame|publisher=ICC|access-date=7 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121123517/http://catchthespirit.com/hall_of_fame/hall_of_famers.aspx|archive-date=21 January 2009}}</ref>

After his playing career had ended Boycott became an often-outspoken and controversial cricket commentator on radio and television, never slow to criticise modern players' techniques. In 1998, he was convicted in France of assaulting his former girlfriend Margaret Moore; he was fined and given a suspended sentence. In 2002, after being diagnosed with [[Head and neck cancer|throat cancer]], he underwent successful [[radiation treatment]], and went into [[Remission (medicine)|remission]]. He revived his commentating career in 2003, attracting both criticism and praise. He is a former member of [[BBC Radio 4]] ''[[Test Match Special]]'' commentary team and retired in 2020.

==Early life==
Geoffrey Boycott was born in the mining village of [[Fitzwilliam, West Yorkshire|Fitzwilliam]], near [[Wakefield]] and [[Pontefract]], in the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]], at 11&nbsp;am on Monday 21 October 1940.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/early-days-geoffrey-boycott|title=Early Days: Geoffrey Boycott|date=19 October 2016|website=Red Bull|accessdate=25 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="a124">Arlott, p. 124.</ref> He was the eldest of three sons of Jane (née Speight) and Thomas Wilfred Boycott, a [[colliery]] worker from [[Little Dawley]], [[Shropshire]].<ref name=detect>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/portal/2007/06/16/nosplit/famdet116.xml|title=Family detective: Geoffrey Boycott|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|access-date=23 March 2008|first=Nick|last=Barratt|date=16 June 2007|archive-date=26 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226162040/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=%2Fportal%2F2007%2F06%2F16%2Fnosplit%2Ffamdet116.xml|url-status=live}}</ref>

When Boycott was eight years old he was impaled through his chest by the handle of a [[mangle (machine)|mangle]] after falling off an iron railing near his home. Boycott nearly died, and in the efforts to save his life his [[spleen]] was removed.<ref>Boycott, ''Boycott: The Autobiography'', pp. 15–16.</ref> On 2 March 1950,<ref name=m15>McKinstry, p. 15.</ref> Boycott's father had a serious accident while working as a [[coal mining|coalminer]], suffering severe damage to his [[vertebral column|spine]] by being hit by empty coal carts:<ref name=m22/> he never fully recovered, and died in 1967.<ref name="lunchft">{{cite web|url=http://us.ft.com/ftgateway/superpage.ft?news_id=fto082220081233286705&page=2|title=Lunch with the FT: Sir Geoffrey Boycott|last=Hunter-Tilney|first=Ludovic|date=22 August 2008|work=Financial Times|page=1|access-date=26 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719175302/http://us.ft.com/ftgateway/superpage.ft?news_id=fto082220081233286705&page=2|archive-date=19 July 2009}}</ref>

Boycott began to play cricket at an early age in Fitzwilliam's terraced streets, using a manhole for the wicket. He later claimed that it was at this time that he developed his favourite [[Batting (cricket)|shots]]: the square cut, the clip to leg and the straight drive, "because if you hit it straight past the bowler it went right to the bottom of the street, and you could run as many runs as you could get."<ref>{{cite web |title=1977: Parkinson - On This Day 1940: Sir Geoffrey Boycott was born. Here's a look back at his appearance on 'Parkinson'. You can also hear his 1987 episode of 'In the... {{!}} By BBC Archive {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=782373935653350 |website=www.facebook.com |publisher=BBC Archive |access-date=1 November 2022 }}</ref>

He attended Fitzwilliam Primary School,<ref name=m15/> at which he won a [[Len Hutton]] batting award for scoring 45&nbsp;runs and capturing six wickets for 10&nbsp;runs in a school match.<ref name="a124"/> At age 10 he joined Ackworth Cricket Club, demonstrating "outstanding ability".<ref name="The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket" /> At the age of 11 he failed the examinations that would have taken him to [[grammar school]], so instead went to the local [[Kinsley, West Yorkshire|Kinsley]] [[Secondary modern school|Secondary Modern School]].<ref name=m22>McKinstry, p. 22.</ref> A year later, however, he passed his late-entry exams and transferred to [[Hemsworth Grammar School]]. His cricket prowess was such that he captained the school's cricket First XI at the age of 15. During winters he attended an indoor cricket school, where he was coached by former county professional [[Johnny Lawrence (cricketer)|Johnny Lawrence]].<ref name="a124"/>

While studying for his [[O-levels]], he began to have difficulty reading the [[blackboard]] and was initially devastated when told he would need glasses. At first his cricket playing suffered, encumbered by the fragile spectacles. However matters improved when a more robust pair, similar to those glasses worn by cricketer [[Roy Marshall]], were fashioned for him at the behest of his maternal uncle, Albert Speight. Albert would go on to be a strong influence on Boycott's early cricketing game<ref>Booth, p. 5</ref><ref>Boycott, pp. 32–37.</ref> while playing for Brierley Juniors Football Club. In 1958 Boycott left school with seven O-level passes and the school's Individual Cricket Cup.<ref>McKinstry, p. 23.</ref> That summer he played for the [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] under-18 football team alongside [[Billy Bremner]] and attracted the attention of Leeds United scouts. During the winter he continued to play [[Cricket nets|nets]] with uncle Lawrence.<ref name="m25-26">McKinstry, pp. 25–26.</ref>

Boycott told the [[BBC]] in 1965 that he chose to leave school at 17 because he no longer wished to be a financial strain on his parents, and because he wanted to pursue his cricketing career.<ref name="m25-26"/> He worked as a clerk in the [[Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance]] in [[Barnsley]] from 1958 to 1963, at the same time playing for a number of cricket clubs. Boycott captained the South Elmsall district team and achieved a batting average of 70.<ref name=m27/> He also played for the Yorkshire Federation's Under-18 team and for Barnsley, where he was noticed by Clifford Hesketh, a member of Yorkshire's County Cricket team committee.<ref name=m27>McKinstry, p. 27.</ref><ref>Boycott, p. 37.</ref>

==County career==
Boycott began playing for his home county in 1962 after topping the averages for Leeds, Yorkshire Colts and Yorkshire Second XI.<ref name="The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket"/><ref name="a125">Arlott, p. 125.</ref> In 414 matches for Yorkshire he scored 32,570&nbsp;runs at an average of 57.85, with a highest score of 260 [[not out]] against [[Essex County Cricket Club|Essex]], and 103&nbsp;centuries in all. He scored another 8,699&nbsp;runs in [[List A cricket]], averaging 40.08. Boycott twice averaged over 100 in an English first-class season: 100.12 in 1971, and 102.53 in 1979. He is one of only two players to have achieved this,<ref name="await">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/boycott-awaits-verdict-on-success-of-cancer-treatment-611962.html|title=Boycott awaits verdict on success of cancer treatment|last=Pierson|first=Mark|date=24 December 2002|work=The Independent|access-date=14 March 2009|location=London|archive-date=19 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719172201/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/boycott-awaits-verdict-on-success-of-cancer-treatment-611962.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Mark Ramprakash]] being the other. Boycott was appointed captain of Yorkshire in 1971, but was sacked in 1978 after failing to win a trophy while in charge.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/new-yorkshire-ready-to-restore-forgotten-glories-676410.html|title=Cricket: 'New' Yorkshire ready to restore forgotten glories|last=Rich|first=Tim|date=3 July 2001|work=The Independent|access-date=7 May 2009|location=London, UK|archive-date=19 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719172208/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/new-yorkshire-ready-to-restore-forgotten-glories-676410.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was then dismissed as a player, but reinstated after a members' revolt. During his career Boycott frequently clashed with other strong personalities at the club, including [[Fred Trueman]], [[Brian Close]] and [[Ray Illingworth]], but remained popular with the Yorkshire crowds.<ref name=hw150>Hill and Williams, p. 150.</ref>

===First years===
Before he played in first-class cricket, Boycott played for the successful [[Barnsley Cricket Club]], making his debut in 1959 and becoming a regular team member that year alongside [[Dickie Bird]] and [[Michael Parkinson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/9098.html|title=Dickie Bird|work=[[Cricinfo]]|access-date=16 June 2010|archive-date=26 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526181636/http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/9098.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In one match against [[Scarborough Cricket Club (England)|Scarborough]], Boycott faced a delivery from [[Bill Foord]] which he dispatched to the boundary for four. Foord turned to Parkinson and asked: "Christ almighty, what's this lad's name?" Bird remembered his "application, concentration and absolute belief in himself. He had one great gift, mental strength. You can have all the coaching in the world but the most important thing is to be mentally strong."<ref>McKinstry, pp. 28–29.</ref> Although Bird later left Boycott out of his choice XI, he would write: "of all the great players I have seen, if I had to pick a batsman to bat for my life, I would go for Geoffrey."<ref name="Bird1999">{{cite book|last=Bird|first=Dickie|title=Dickie Bird: My Autobiography|year=1999|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|location=London|isbn=0-340-68458-5|page=313}}</ref> He made his Yorkshire Second XI debut on 6 July 1959 against Cumberland at [[Penrith, Cumbria|Penrith]], scoring five and 15.<ref>Boycott, p. 47.</ref>

Boycott made his Yorkshire first-team debut on 16 June 1962 against the [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 1962|Pakistan touring team]].<ref name="The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket"/> He opened the batting, scoring four in both innings – the first from a boundary off of his first ball in first-class cricket – and taking one catch, but he did not bowl.<ref>Boycott, p. 57.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25534.html|title=Yorkshire v Pakistanis – Pakistan in British Isles 1962|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription|access-date=20 May 2009|archive-date=27 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727015911/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25534.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He went on to play his first [[County Championship]] match the next day, on 20 June, against [[Northamptonshire County Cricket Club|Northamptonshire]]. Batting at number four, he scored six and 21*.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25544.html|title=Northamptonshire v Yorkshire – County Championship 1962|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription|access-date=20 May 2009|archive-date=27 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727015916/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25544.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Early in his career, Boycott continued to play in his spectacles,<ref name=biffing/> and later switched to [[contact lenses]]. He feared his career would have ended had he not used such aids as his eyesight was poor.<ref>McKinstry, p. 29.</ref> Boycott's initial appearances for Yorkshire failed to impress, and he was compared unfavourably to his main rival, [[John Hampshire]]. When Brian Close took over from [[Vic Wilson (cricketer)|Vic Wilson]] as captain of Yorkshire in 1963 he persuaded the committee to keep Boycott on, and was rewarded when, on 2 June 1963,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/26/26109.html|title=Yorkshire v Lancashire – County Championship 1963|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription|access-date=20 May 2009|archive-date=23 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723225722/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/26/26109.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Boycott scored 145 against [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]].<ref>McKinstry, p. 47.</ref> His century was also part of a 249-run fourth-wicket partnership which became a Yorkshire record.<ref>Boycott, p. 60.</ref> Boycott cemented his place in the Yorkshire XI in the 1963 season with successive scores of 76, 53, 49 not out and 50, and on 29 August made a century partnership in both innings of a match against [[Leicestershire County Cricket Club|Leicestershire]] with [[Ken Taylor (cricketer, born 1935)|Ken Taylor]].<ref>Boycott, p. 63.</ref> Boycott handed in his notice to the Ministry of Pensions that same year.<ref>McKinstry, p. 48.</ref> After a brief loss of form he kept his place with scores of 62, 28 and 113 in the following matches.<ref>McKinstry, p. 49.</ref> This second century again came against Lancashire, making Boycott the first Yorkshire cricketer to score his first two centuries in a [[Roses match]], as the hotly contested Yorkshire versus Lancashire matches were termed.<ref>Boycott, p. 64.</ref>

Boycott went on to hit his highest score thus far, 165 not out, against Leicestershire, and ended his first full season with 1,446 runs at an average of 46.64, placing him second in the 1963 national batting averages.<ref>McKinstry, p. 50.</ref> He was awarded his county cap on 2 October.<ref>Boycott, p. 66.</ref> At the start of the 1964 season Boycott hit 151 against [[Middlesex County Cricket Club|Middlesex]], followed by another hundred against Lancashire in May, and then played for the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] (MCC) against the Australian touring side at [[Lord's]], where he scored 63.<ref>McKinstry, p. 52.</ref> On 16 May he completed a third consecutive century,<ref>Boycott, p. 68.</ref> and on 31 May he was called up for the First Test against Australia at [[Trent Bridge]].<ref name="The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket"/> By the end of the 1964 season, Boycott had topped the country's domestic averages with 59.45.<ref name="McKinstry, pp. 53–57">McKinstry, pp. 53–57.</ref>

Although he later became renowned for his ability to occupy the crease for hours of defensive play, he was capable of playing attacking cricket.<ref name=hw150/> His highest one day score, a match-winning 146, came in the 1965 [[Friends Provident Trophy|Gillette Cup]] final against Surrey.<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1960S/1965/ENG_LOCAL/GLTE/KNOCK-OUTS/SURREY_YORKS_GLTE-FINAL_04SEP1965.html Surrey v Yorkshire at Lord's] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050320193512/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1960S/1965/ENG_LOCAL/GLTE/KNOCK-OUTS/SURREY_YORKS_GLTE-FINAL_04SEP1965.html |date=20 March 2005 }}, CricInfo.com, 4 September 1965; retrieved 7 May 2009.</ref> In his previous Gillette Cup match, the quarter-final against Somerset, Boycott took 32&nbsp;overs to accumulate 23&nbsp;runs.<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1960S/1965/ENG_LOCAL/GLTE/SOMERSET_YORKS_GLTE_23JUN1965.html Somerset v Yorkshire at Taunton], CricInfo.com, 23 June 1965; retrieved 7 May 2009.</ref>

According to the captain, Close, at Lord's after Yorkshire had slowly reached 22/1, Close promoted himself to number three in the batting order so that he could urge Boycott into action. "I joined Geoffrey in the middle and said to him: 'Listen, if I call, you bloody well run.' " Boycott later claimed this plan had been agreed on a fortnight previously, and denied such an incident ever occurring.<ref name="biffing">{{cite web |last=Lister |first=Simon |date=July 2006 |title=Who got Boycott biffing? |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdencricketer/content/story/252440.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010200554/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/252440.html |archive-date=10 October 2008 |access-date=7 May 2009 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Boycott subsequently hit 15&nbsp;fours and three sixes,<ref name=biffing/> even though the modern-day fielding restrictions, which facilitate rapid scoring, did not exist in 1965. One shot, a lofted [[Drive (cricket)|straight drive]] off England paceman [[Geoff Arnold]] was nearly caught by Boycott's teammates on the players' balcony in the pavilion. Close and Boycott added 192&nbsp;runs for the second wicket, as Yorkshire posted a then-record total of 317.<ref name=biffing/> Cricket writer [[John Woodcock (cricket writer)|John Woodcock]] wrote in ''[[The Times]]'' that "his magnificent innings contained every stroke in the book. "<ref name=biffing/>

In the 1966 season Boycott scored two centuries in one match for the first time, against Nottinghamshire on 18 July.<ref>Boycott, p. 109.</ref> Against Leicestershire on 15 June 1968 he carried his bat through an entire Yorkshire innings of 297 all out, remaining unbeaten on 114*. It was the first time he had been unbeaten at the end of an innings. He ended the season top of the national averages for the first time.<ref>Boycott, pp. 132–134.</ref> On 27 July 1970 he scored 260*, his highest first-class score in England, against Essex.<ref>Boycott, p. 142.</ref> At the end of the season, Close was sacked by the club committee in what Boycott called in 1987 "one of the cruellest incidents in the history of sport." Boycott, on tour in Australia, was awarded the captaincy.<ref>Boycott, pp. 144–145.</ref>

===Captaincy===
{{Quote box
 | quote =His removal will have to be handled as delicately as a military operation.<ref name="hopps240">Hopps, p. 240.</ref>
 | source = – A member of the Yorkshire County team's committee, planning to remove Boycott from the captaincy in 1978
 | width =35%
 | align =left
}}

Boycott captained Yorkshire for eight seasons from 1971 to 1978, having been appointed following the sacking of Brian Close in 1970. Despite well publicised conflict between the two players, Boycott recorded in 1987 that he regretted Close's removal from the club, and wrote him a letter in admiration for his contributions to Yorkshire.<ref>Boycott, p. 146.</ref> To captain Yorkshire had been one of Boycott's aims since he started county cricket in 1962.<ref name="McKinstry, p. 121">McKinstry, p. 121.</ref> Yorkshire's scorer [[Ted Lester]] commented later that Boycott "never got the support he deserved from the committee. After the captaincy was decided on a casting vote, the half that didn't want him never wanted him."<ref name="McKinstry, p. 120">McKinstry, p. 120.</ref> Some members of the committee wanted to remove him almost immediately.<ref name="hopps240"/> He also caused strife between his fellow players, including a reciprocated dislike for [[Richard Hutton (cricketer)|Richard Hutton]],<ref>Boycott, pp. 196–171.</ref> with many players leaving the club citing personal differences with Boycott as the reason for their departure.<ref>McKinstry, p. 141.</ref>

After his first season as captain he spent the winter of 1971 playing in South Africa for [[Transvaal cricket team|Northern Transvaal]].<ref name="cricpro"/> He played only one match, however, scoring 107 and 41.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1228/f_Batting_by_Team.html|title=First-class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Geoff Boycott|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription|access-date=1 June 2009|archive-date=27 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727015705/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/1/1228/f_Batting_by_Team.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Boycott's eight seasons of captaincy were among Yorkshire's least successful. The club failed to win any competitions and ranked low in the Championship table, in contrast to their one-time dominance of English cricket.<ref name="McKinstry, p. 120"/> The beginning of the end of his captaincy came after [[BBC Radio Leeds]] interviews in which two Yorkshire committee members and former players, [[Don Brennan (cricketer)|Don Brennan]] and Mel Ryan, said that a change in leadership was needed.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 174–175.</ref> Boycott himself did not suffer a loss of form to mirror that of his county; in his first year as captain, he scored 2,503&nbsp;runs at an average of 100.12, including a century in his first match as captain.<ref>Boycott, p. 163.</ref> His success was cited by Trueman as evidence that his selfish nature was harming Yorkshire.<ref>McKinstry, p. 122.</ref>

Boycott headed the national batting averages in 1972 with 72.35, and was second in 1973 with 63.62. In 1973, however, Yorkshire failed to win any of the 8 championship games with Boycott in charge, and ''Wisden'' called the season "disturbingly unsuccessful".  It led to further calls for Boycott to be stripped of the captaincy. He was also coming into increased conflict with [[Richard Hutton (cricketer)|Richard Hutton]], Close, and several members of the committee and senior players.<ref>McKinstry, p. 128.</ref><ref>Boycott, p. 169.</ref> "Looking back," Boycott wrote in 1987 "I wish I had given up the Yorkshire captaincy at the end of that year."<ref>Boycott, p. 175.</ref>

{{Quote box
 | quote =They are small-minded people – people who think they are always right. The whole thing was a set up. They knew they were going to sack me, but at least they could have postponed the meeting. They could have allowed my mother to be buried in peace, but they could not wait.<ref name="hopps240"/>
 | source = – Boycott, to Michael Parkinson in 1978 following his removal from the captaincy.
 | width =35%
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In 1974 Boycott's form dipped, when he scored only 75&nbsp;runs in the first innings of the season, other than a non-championship century against [[Cambridge University cricket team|Cambridge University]]. He did, however, score 152* against [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club|Worcestershire]] on 15 May to complete his tour of centuries against every first-class county.<ref>Boycott, p. 244.</ref> Both he and Yorkshire suffered through 1975 and 1976, as did his international career, since he refused to play for England from 1974 until 1977.<ref>McKinstry, p. 141, 149.</ref> During the summer of 1978 Boycott broke a finger, so [[John Hampshire]] temporarily took over as captain. Boycott returned later in the season, scoring 968&nbsp;runs at 50.94, but this was second to Hampshire's 1,463 at 54.18. A poll of the dressing room showed that 95% of the players wanted a permanent change in the captaincy.<ref>McKinstry, p. 179.</ref> On 27 September 1978 Boycott's mother, to whom he was very close, died of cancer, placing further pressure on him. She was buried on 2 October.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc1lBecUWog |title=Geoff Boycott in the Psychiatrist's Chair |website=[[YouTube]] |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=12 December 2018 |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526214831/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc1lBecUWog |url-status=live }}</ref> On 29 September, the Yorkshire club committee met with Boycott to discuss terminating his captaincy. A statement by the club outlined Yorkshire's intention to retain Boycott as a player while giving the captaincy to Hampshire.<ref>McKinstry, p. 180.</ref> Boycott, in response, attacked the Yorkshire club and its decision in an appearance on the [[BBC]]'s flagship chatshow ''[[Parkinson (TV series)|Parkinson]]'' on 7 October, prompting both strong criticism from the club and strong public support for his own position.<ref name="hopps240"/><ref>McKinstry, pp. 181–182.</ref>

===Later years===
Boycott, after much thought, continued as a player at Yorkshire, scoring 1,941&nbsp;runs at 61.70 in 1979, hitting six hundreds to pass [[Len Hutton]]'s record of 129 first-class centuries.<ref>McKinstry, p. 236.</ref> In 1980 he scored his ninth Roses century, equalling [[Herbert Sutcliffe]]'s record.<ref>Boycott, p. 349.</ref> He also finished the season with an average of over 50.00 for a record eleventh consecutive year, surpassing the achievement of [[Jack Hobbs]].<ref>Boycott, p. 331.</ref> He would experience growing friction with Hutton's son, Yorkshire's [[Richard Hutton (cricketer)|Richard]], as well as with later Yorkshire captain [[John Hampshire]]. In the early 1980s Boycott continued his run of form, although a slow 347-ball knock of 140* incensed captain, [[Ray Illingworth]], and created friction between Boycott and the rest of the Yorkshire Committee. In 1982 Boycott and [[Graham Stevenson]] added a record 149 runs for Yorkshire's tenth wicket against Warwickshire, Stevenson scoring 115 of these runs.<ref name="stevensonpro">{{cite web|url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/20363.html|title=Player Profile: Graham Stevenson|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=11 November 2008|archive-date=3 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103131941/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/20363.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 October 1983 the friction between Boycott and the committee culminated in a unanimous decision not to offer Boycott a contract for the next season. This generated much protest from Boycott supporters, who rallied, calling for his reinstatement at a meeting on 9 October in [[Ossett, Yorkshire]]. [[Bill Athey]] left the club at this time, and while Boycott in his biography maintained that he had no reason to believe that his actions had caused Athey's departure, Athey later stated to biographer [[Leo McKinstry]] that "Boycott's attitude and the atmosphere he created had everything to do with my decision to leave Yorkshire." The "Members 84 Group", consisting of strong supporters of Boycott, met regularly to clamour for the batsman's reinstatement.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 240–241.</ref> Their leader, Peter Briggs, stated "Geoffrey Boycott is a giant playing among pygmies."<ref>Hopps, p. 241.</ref>

On 21 January 1984 the Yorkshire Club committee, in the face of this rising pressure, agreed to offer Boycott a contract for 1984. Several members of the committee, including Trueman, [[Billy Sutcliffe]] and [[Ronnie Burnet]], resigned. Of the replacement members, 17 were from the Members 84 Group, and Boycott himself was elected, leaving him with both a position on the team and on the Yorkshire Club committee.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 244–246.</ref> The 1984 season was, however, not the most prolific for Boycott. McKinstry records that he scored slowly in several matches: 60 in 52 overs against Somerset; 53 in 51 overs against Hampshire;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44810.html|title=Hampshire v Yorkshire – Britannic Assurance County Championship 1984|date=15 June 1984|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription|access-date=19 May 2009|archive-date=22 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722140556/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44810.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 17 in 26 overs against Leicestershire; 77 in 67 overs against Sussex. This was coupled with continued friction between himself and both players and club members.<ref>Mckinstry, p. 248.</ref> In particular, Boycott's place on both the team and the committee led to feelings of distrust from both – though Boycott denies this – which led to the loss of support from long-term ally Sid Fielden.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 250–251.</ref>

His success on the field resumed in 1985, where he scored 1,657&nbsp;runs at 75.31, second only to [[Viv Richards]] in the national averages. He also shared a record opening partnership of 351 with [[Martyn Moxon]]. In contrast to the poor relations between Boycott and the senior players, many junior members of the team remember 1985 and 1986 as pleasant times to be around Boycott, who often coached them on their technique.<ref>McKinstry, p. 253.</ref> 1986 saw Boycott score 890&nbsp;runs at 52.35, his season cut short by injuries which were becoming more frequent as he passed the age of 45.<ref>McKinstry, p. 255.</ref> This season was the first since 1962 that he had not hit an overall total of 1,000&nbsp;runs; he finished eight short in his final match, when he was run out for 61. He advised the then captain to enforce the follow-on, and did not bat again. Since 1984, support for Boycott had waned in light of his slow scoring, multiple injuries and the general atmosphere around him. Both Brian Close and Ray Illingworth increasingly advocated his removal to Yorkshire's committee, and on 23 September 1986 it was confirmed that he would not be offered a contract for the following year. A few months later, captain [[David Bairstow]], a long term ally of Boycott whose leadership had Boycott's support, was ruled out of the running for captaincy for the following season, which was instead given to [[Phil Carrick]], of whom Boycott disapproved. Boycott paid tribute to the Reform Group in 1987, describing them as "dedicated Yorkshire members with a heartfelt stake in their club." He suggests that Close and Illingworth feared his popularity.<ref>Boycott, p. 297.</ref> Boycott was offered contracts by other counties, including [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]] and [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club|Glamorgan]], but he never took these offers up, nor played professional cricket again.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 257–258.</ref> At the time of his retirement he had scored more first-class runs than any other active player.<ref>Boycott, p. 375.</ref>

==Test match career==
Over Boycott's 18-year career he scored 8,114 runs in 108 [[Test cricket|Test matches]] for England. He was the first England cricketer to pass 8,000 Test runs and, as of 2023,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-runs-career/england-1/test-matches-1 | title=England Test matches batting most runs career }}</ref> is seventh on England's all-time run scoring list (behind [[Alastair Cook]], [[Graham Gooch]], [[Joe Root]], [[Alec Stewart]], [[David Gower]] and [[Kevin Pietersen]]). His average of 47.72 runs over 193 innings is the highest completed career average by an England player since 1970. His Test career included 22 centuries, fourth in England's records, held jointly with [[Wally Hammond]], [[Colin Cowdrey]], and [[Ian Bell]] and surpassed only by Pietersen (23), Cook (33) and Root (39). England did not lose a Test match in which he scored a century and only 20 of his 108 Tests ended in defeat.<ref name=batstat1>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting|title=G Boycott Test matches – Batting analysis|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 May 2009|archive-date=19 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719235403/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting|url-status=live}}</ref> [[John Arlott]] wrote in 1979 that "any expectation of an English win, except in freak bowling conditions, is based on a major innings from Boycott."<ref name="a123"/>

===Debut year===
{{Quote box
 | quote =People say he was a manufactured player, but that's ridiculous. He was very good indeed, though he was a grafter who was more likely to win you a game on a bad wicket. But he had the ability to take an attack apart when he felt it necessary.<ref name="McKinstry, p. 31">McKinstry, p. 31.</ref>
 | source = – [[Martyn Moxon]] on Boycott
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Boycott began his Test career on 4 June 1964, only two years after his first-class debut, in the first Test against [[Australian cricket team|Australia]]. He top scored with 48 runs from 118 deliveries before he was bowled by [[Grahame Corling]]. The match ended as a rain-affected draw, and Boycott did not bat in the second innings as he had suffered a cracked finger.<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62947.html 1st Test: England v Australia, 4–9 June 1964] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106112501/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62947.html |date=6 January 2009 }} [[CricInfo]]. Retrieved 7 May 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Preston |first=Norman |author2=John Wisden & Co. |title=First Test Match England v Australia – 1964-5 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152821.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713130636/http://content.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/152821.html |archive-date=13 July 2012 |access-date=7 May 2009 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> He made 58 at [[Old Trafford cricket ground|Old Trafford]], and then hit 113 at [[The Oval]], his maiden Test century. He finished his first Test series with 291 runs at 48.50.<ref name="McKinstry, pp. 53–57"/>

In the winter of 1964, Boycott was selected for the England team to tour South Africa. After a series of low scores during the warm-up matches, he was more successful in the Test series. His innings included scores of 73 in the opening Test, 76 in the fourth, and 117 in the fifth and final match. He averaged 49.66 in all first-class cricket during the tour, and took five wickets with the ball as England won the Test series 1–0.<ref>McKinstry, p. 59.</ref> He made a mixed impression on the other England players, who were impressed by his talent but perplexed by his introverted attitude each time he was dismissed.<ref>McKinstry, p. 61.</ref>

===Early career===

England hosted New Zealand and South Africa in 1965. Against New Zealand, Boycott scored 23 and 44 not out in the first Test at Edgbaston and 76 in the second at Lord's, but missed the third Test owing to injury. He returned against South Africa at Lord's, but after scores of 31 and a slow 28 in 105 minutes,<ref>McKinstry, p. 65.</ref> the press began to speculate that he might lose his place in the team. In the second Test, Boycott made a [[Duck (cricket)|duck]] in the first innings and later took 140 minutes to score 16 runs when England needed to score quickly; ''Wisden'' described the latter innings as a "dreadful effort when courage was needed".<ref name=McK65-6/> Subsequently, Boycott was dropped and replaced by [[William Eric Russell|Eric Russell]].<ref name=McK65-6>McKinstry, pp. 65–66.</ref> Boycott returned to the team at the end of the season for the tour to Australia. In the [[1965-66 Ashes series]], illness dogged his performance initially.<ref>McKinstry, p. 68.</ref> He then hit a form of "brighter cricket" during the First and Second Tests. Uncharacteristically, he hit a four from his very first delivery at [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], and put on 98 in 16 overs with [[Bob Barber (cricketer)|Bob Barber]] in the Second Test. In the Third Test, Boycott and Barber shared an opening partnership of 234 in four hours; Boycott hit 84, his highest score of the series. But in the Fifth Test he monopolised the strike, ran out Bob Barber and took 75 minutes to make 17 runs. His form deserted him again when the MCC went on to tour New Zealand.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 69–70.</ref>

In 1966, England faced the West Indies. Boycott was omitted from the first Test, but in the second he shared a partnership of 115 with [[Tom Graveney]]. However, he struggled during the series and managed an average of 26.57.<ref>McKinstry, p. 71.</ref> It was a disappointing year for Boycott both for England and Yorkshire, and his average for the former fell to 36.60.<ref>McKinstry, p. 72.</ref> Furthermore, he had only passed 50 twice in his last 12 first-class innings.<ref name=m7374/> The following summer, he rediscovered his form. He made his highest Test score of 246 not out against India at [[Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground|Headingley]] in 1967.<ref name=r246>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/match/63004.html England v India – 1st Test, 1967] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512055144/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/match/63004.html |date=12 May 2008 }} from [[CricInfo]]. Retrieved 7 May 2009.</ref><ref name=m73>McKinstry, p. 73.</ref><ref>Boycott, p. 112.</ref> His slow scoring frustrated the selectors, who dropped him from the team, partly in response to media pressure.<ref name=m7374>McKinstry, pp. 73–74.</ref><ref>Boycott, p. 111.</ref> A combination of low confidence and a throat infection limited Boycott to two further Test appearances, playing once more against India and once against Pakistan, for the rest of the year. He nevertheless again topped the domestic averages with 1260 at 48.46.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 75–76.</ref> In 1967, Boycott toured the West Indies with England, where he hit a rich seam of form. He scored 463 runs at 66.14 in a series England won 1–0.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 76–78.</ref>

[[File:HeadingleyEast.JPG|thumb|left|280px|Headingley Cricket Ground, in Leeds, was Boycott's home and favourite ground, the scene of his hundredth first-class century.]]

Over the next two years, Boycott appeared only intermittently in the Test team. A back injury forced him to miss half of the 1967 season, and an average of 32.40 against the Australians during the 1968 Ashes was unspectacular.<ref name=batstat1/> Domestically, his injury also limited his contribution; however, he did hit five centuries before he was forced to stop playing in June 1968.<ref>McKinstry, p. 79.</ref> Health problems with his spleen and trouble adjusting to wearing contact lenses meant that Boycott missed the tour of Pakistan in 1968/69,<ref>McKinstry, p. 95.</ref> but he returned to the team by the summer of 1969, scoring 128 against the West Indies at Old Trafford, and another century at Lord's. However, he lost form in the rest of the season; he scored 12 and 0 in the third Test and averaged only 20.20, with two ducks, in the three Tests against New Zealand.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 96–98.</ref>

Boycott was left out of the first three Tests against the World XI in 1970; he played in the fourth and scored 15 and 64, and in the final Test of the summer scored 157. He won the [[Walter Lawrence Trophy]] for this century.<ref name="cricpro"/> He was selected for the [[English cricket team in Australia in 1970–71|1970–71 tour of Australia]], and averaged 95.93 over all first-class matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Marylebone_Cricket_Club_in_Australia_1970-71/f_Marylebone_Cricket_Club_Batting.html |title=First-class Batting and Fielding for Marylebone Cricket Club Marylebone Cricket Club in Australia 1970/71 |work=CricketArchive |url-access=subscription|access-date=15 July 2009 |archive-date=27 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727015649/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Marylebone_Cricket_Club_in_Australia_1970-71/f_Marylebone_Cricket_Club_Batting.html| url-status=live}}</ref> He scored 173 in the opening first-class game, followed by 124 against [[Queensland Bulls|Queensland]]. In the third Test match, having hit good partnerships in the first two, Boycott made 77 and 142 not out.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 103–04.</ref>

This incident was used as evidence for Boycott's selfish attitude for many years after. His highest score was 142 not out in the second innings of the Fourth Test at [[Sydney Cricket Ground|Sydney]], in a 299-run victory. The Fifth Test was drawn, Boycott making 12 and 76*, and in the Sixth Test he was [[run out]] for 58. Boycott initially refused to leave the ground in disbelief, and eventually walked off to jeering from the crowd.<ref>McKinstry, p. 105.</ref> He made 119 in the second innings but injured his arm against fast bowler [[Garth McKenzie]] in a following one-day match and missed the final Test, when England retained the Ashes. He later maintained that the injury permanently affected his wrist, and that he carried a squash ball in a sock in his pocket, which he could squeeze to keep his wrist strong.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 102–106.</ref> He ended the series with 657 Test runs at 93.85.<ref name="The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket"/>

In 1971, Boycott made his One Day International debut against Australia, the press by then touting him as the best batsman in the world.<ref name="The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket" /> He was the first batsman to receive a ball in a one-day international and his was the first wicket to fall,<ref name=cricpro/> after he had scored eight runs from 37 balls.<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64148.html ODI: Australia v England at Melbourne, 5 January 1971] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303022228/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64148.html |date=3 March 2009 }} [[CricInfo]]. Retrieved 7 May 2009.</ref> In the summer of 1971 he enjoyed an average of over 100 in domestic cricket,<ref name="a124"/> and scored 121 not out against Pakistan at Lord's.<ref name="McKinstry, p. 121"/>

He played only two Tests in 1972 owing to a series of injuries, but rejoined the team in the West Indies under Denness's captaincy. Boycott was dismissed for 99 in the first innings against the West Indies at Port-of-Spain in 1973–74 and scored 112 in the second, having earlier made a career-best first-class score of 261 not out against a West Indies Board President's XI.<ref name="cricinfo.com">[http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1970S/1973-74/ENG_IN_WI/ENG_PRES-XI_23-26JAN1974.html President's XI v England XI at Bridgetown, 23–26 January 1974] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107025625/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1970S/1973-74/ENG_IN_WI/ENG_PRES-XI_23-26JAN1974.html |date=7 January 2009 }} [[CricInfo]]; retrieved 23 March 2008.</ref>

Boycott and Denness did not get on well, and at the end of the tour they clashed over Boycott's preference for a one-day match over a three-day game against [[Bermuda cricket team|Bermuda]]. Boycott recalled in his autobiography that when Denness confronted him on the issue he replied "Get out of here before I do something I'll regret."<ref>Boycott, p. 219.</ref> Boycott had "no confidence in Denness's professional ability and no respect for him as a man and another tour like the previous one to the West Indies was the last thing I wanted."<ref name="Boycott228">Boycott, p. 228.</ref>

===Exile===
Between 1974 and 1977, Boycott elected to make himself unavailable for England. He said in 2006 that he had simply lost his appetite for Test cricket and the stress became too much for him.<ref name=tresconice>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/geoffreyboycott/2350363/Trescothick-first-victim-of-this-greedy-game.html|title=Trescothick first victim of this greedy game|last=Boycott|first=Geoffrey|date=16 November 2006|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 May 2009|location=London|archive-date=21 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421083744/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/geoffreyboycott/2350363/Trescothick-first-victim-of-this-greedy-game.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Boycott's biographer, McKinstry, speculates that the self-imposed exile may also have been linked to the appointments of [[Mike Denness]] and then [[Tony Greig]] to the England captaincy, in preference to Boycott.<ref>McKinstry, p. 134.</ref> Boycott was very critical of Denness's captaincy and his standard of batting in his autobiography in 1987, citing it as a factor in his decision, along with the pressures at Yorkshire.<ref name="Boycott228"/>

Boycott has responded to these accusations by pointing out that Lillee had been out of cricket for 21 months suffering from a serious back complaint and that Thomson had not played in Tests for 23 months before the 1974–5 Ashes series, since an unsuccessful debut Test against Pakistan (Thomson's match figures were 0–110).<ref name=suemott>{{cite web |url=http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/76472.html |title=Boycott opens the batting for his future|last=Mott |first=Sue |work=The Daily Telegraph (reprinted on CricInfo) |access-date=12 May 2009 |archive-date=19 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119235012/http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/76472.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, he was dismissed for 99 in the first innings against the West Indies at Port-of-Spain in 1973–74 and scored 112 in the second, followed by a career-best 261 not out against a West Indies Board President's XI. All of these teams included Roberts, with a young Holding representing the Board XI.<ref name="cricinfo.com"/>

In the meantime, "[[When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease]]" was released by [[Roy Harper (singer)|Roy Harper]] in 1975, and again in 1978, dedicated to Boycott and [[John Snow (cricketer)|John Snow]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/dotty-about-ditties-in-the-dotball-game-1327697.html |title=Dotty about ditties in the dot-ball game: Cricket Diary; One-man stand |first=Stephen |last=Brenkley |date=7 July 1996 |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |access-date=27 October 2017 |archive-date=11 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111192443/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/dotty-about-ditties-in-the-dotball-game-1327697.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2404301/A-slap-in-the-face-for-young-shavers.html |title=A slap in the face for young shavers |first=Derek |last=Pringle |date=19 May 2003 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-date=19 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119023627/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2404301/A-slap-in-the-face-for-young-shavers.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Comeback Tests===
[[File:Geoffrey Boycott batting vs NZ. February 1978.jpg|thumb|Boycott vs [[New Zealand national cricket team]], [[Basin Reserve]], February 1978]]
[[File:Geoffrey Boycott dismissed by Richard Collinge. February 1978, Wellington.jpg|thumb|Boycott dismissed by [[Richard Collinge]]. February 1978, [[Basin Reserve]]]]
When Boycott returned to the Test side [[Australian cricket team in England in 1977|against Australia]] at [[Trent Bridge]] in 1977 he ran out [[Derek Randall]] in front of his home crowd before going on to make a century. In this match, in which [[Ian Botham]] made his England debut, Boycott batted on each of the five days of the match: his first innings 107 started at the end of the first day, he batted throughout the second day and was dismissed on the third day; he started his second innings at the end of day four and batted throughout England's successful run chase scoring 80 not out, scoring the winning runs in partnership with Randall. Among England batsmen, only [[Allan Lamb]], [[Andrew Flintoff]] and [[Rory Burns]] have emulated this feat of batting on all five days, and all three subsequent to Boycott.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/rory-burns-becomes-only-the-10th-player-to-bat-on-all-five-days-of-a-test-match-876209|title=Rory Burns becomes only the 10th player to bat on all five days of a Test match|last=Staff|first=CricketCountry|date=2019-08-05|website=Cricket Country|access-date=2019-08-12|archive-date=12 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812100309/https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/rory-burns-becomes-only-the-10th-player-to-bat-on-all-five-days-of-a-test-match-876209|url-status=live}}</ref> He also had a 215-run partnership with [[Alan Knott]].<ref>Boycott, p. 258.</ref> Botham later remarked that "The Aussies, shell-shocked at having to bowl at Boycott for twenty-two and a half hours, capitulated without much of a fight."<ref name=k163>McKinstry, p. 163.</ref>

On 11 and 12 August 1977, he scored 191 against Australia in the fourth Test in front of a full house at his home ground of Leeds, becoming the first cricketer to score his one hundredth first-class century in a Test match.<ref name=Headingley77>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/columns/engine/match/63193.html 4th Test: England v Australia at Leeds, 11–15 August 1977] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130120011655/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/columns/engine/match/63193.html |date=20 January 2013 }} [[CricInfo]]. Retrieved 23 March 2008.</ref> Boycott reached the milestone from the bowling of [[Greg Chappell]] with an on drive for four.<ref>{{cite web |last=Williamson |first=Martin |date=25 August 2007 |title=Boycott's Headingley heaven |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/boycott-s-headingley-heaven-307164 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710002829/http://content.cricinfo.com/columns/content/current/story/307164.html |archive-date=10 July 2012 |access-date=12 May 2009 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kidd |first=Patrick |date=2 August 2008 |title=From Grace to Hick |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdencricketer/content/story/347943.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731134029/http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdencricketer/content/story/347943.html |archive-date=31 July 2009 |access-date=10 July 2009 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In the match, Boycott became the fourth English player to be on the field for the entire duration of a Test.<ref name=Headingley77/> Boycott ended the series with 442 runs at an average of 147.33.<ref name=k163/>

Appointed vice-captain for the tour of [[Pakistan]] and New Zealand that winter, Boycott assumed the captaincy in 1978 for two Tests when [[Mike Brearley]] was injured, and brought with him his successful summer form. However, he was replaced upon Brearley's return. While the rest of the England team took part in warm-up matches, Boycott remained in [[Lahore]] and organised a special warm-up match in which the team would play itself. However, he went on to occupy the crease for a long period of time, limiting the amount of time other players had to practise. He later stated that, as the number-one batsman, he should have the most time in the middle.<ref name=k166>McKinstry, p. 166.</ref> In the second Test match, he scored 79 and 100 not out, bringing his Test total since his return to the England team to 684 runs at 136.80.<ref name=k166/> It was between this match and the third Test that Brearley broke his arm, giving Boycott the captaincy.<ref name=k166/> Boycott led England to a draw in the third match, his leadership receiving mixed reviews.<ref>McKinstry, p. 168.</ref>

Following Pakistan, Boycott and the England team travelled to New Zealand. In the opening Test match, New Zealand defeated England for the first time in 48 years. Boycott took seven hours and 22 minutes to score 77 runs in the first innings, and in the second innings England were bowled out for 64 when chasing 137 to win.<ref name=k170>McKinstry p. 170.</ref> In the second match, Botham's first Test century took England to 418, but by the end of the match England needed to score quickly to force a win. Boycott, however, told his team that he would play the way he always had, and proceeded to accumulate runs very slowly. Derek Randall was run out, and Botham went out to bat with his captain, informing the dressing room that "Boycs will be back in here before the end of the over."<ref name=k170/> Botham then ran Boycott out, later claiming in his autobiography that he had done it deliberately.<ref>Armstrong, p. 99.</ref> Indeed, some have suggested that this was a team order. Boycott disputes the suggestion that the run-out was deliberate in his autobiography, referring to Botham's account as "a story that gets bigger and more fanciful with every telling".<ref>{{cite web |last=Williamson |first=Martin |date=9 February 2013 |title='I've run you out, you ****' |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rewind-to-1978-botham-to-boycott-i-ve-run-you-out-you-604169 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827013612/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/604169.html |archive-date=27 August 2019 |access-date=17 March 2015 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> The tale does nevertheless remain a renowned story.<ref>Whannel, p. 139.</ref> Boycott then delayed his declaration, much to the frustration of England bowler [[Bob Willis]]. England did eventually declare, and Willis took 4/14. New Zealand were bowled out for 105 and England won by 174 runs. Boycott suffered a scratch on his [[cornea]] and missed the last two days of the final match,<ref>McKinstry, p. 171.</ref> and by the start of the 1978 season, Brearley had taken the captaincy back from Boycott.<ref>McKinstry, p. 173.</ref>

===Ashes series, West Indies and India===
[[Image:Ashes Urn.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Boycott played 38 Test matches against Australia during Ashes' competitions, scoring 2,945 runs at 47.50, with seven centuries.<ref name="batanalysisaus">{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;orderby=default;template=results;type=batting|title=G Boycott – Test matches – Batting analysis|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=11 November 2008|archive-date=23 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723012714/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;orderby=default;template=results;type=batting|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
During the [[English cricket team in Australia in 1978–79|1978–79 Ashes series]], Boycott unusually went in as a Number 11 in the second innings of a match against state side South Australia (not due to injury).<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1970S/1978-79/ENG_IN_AUS/ENG_SOA_22-24DEC1978.html England v South Australia at Adelaide, 22–24 December 1978] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029151539/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1970S/1978-79/ENG_IN_AUS/ENG_SOA_22-24DEC1978.html |date=29 October 2004 }} [[CricInfo]]. Retrieved 23 March 2008.</ref> At Perth on 15 December, he scored 77 runs without hitting a boundary – the highest total of this nature – though it did include an all-run four.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lynch |first=Steven |date=16 June 2009 |title=Slow centuries, and Kamran Akmal's new record |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/slow-centuries-and-kamran-akmal-s-new-record-409073 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619051920/http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/409073.html |archive-date=19 June 2009 |access-date=21 June 2009 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> England went on to win the six-Test series 5–1,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/australia/engine/series/60476.html|title=The Ashes 1978/79 / Results|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 June 2009|archive-date=21 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621135614/http://www.cricinfo.com/australia/engine/series/60476.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with Boycott struggling overall through three of the Tests with 263 runs at 21.91.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;view=series|title=Batting Series Averages|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 June 2009|archive-date=23 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723050210/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;view=series|url-status=live}}</ref> Boycott then played in the [[1979 Cricket World Cup]] held in England, taking two wickets in the opening match against Australia, which England won. The hosts then went on to win their next two games and topped their table for the opening round. Reaching the final after a close victory against New Zealand in which Boycott scored only two,<ref>[http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC79/ENG_NZ_WC79_ODI-SEMI1_20JUN1979.html England v New Zealand, 1979 World Cup Semi-Final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013124045/http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC79/ENG_NZ_WC79_ODI-SEMI1_20JUN1979.html |date=13 October 2008 }} [[CricInfo]]. Retrieved 23 March 2008.</ref> he hit 57 from 105 balls as England chased Viv Richards 138 not out-inspired 286 to win, falling 92 runs short at 194 all out.<ref>[http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC79/WI_ENG_WC79_ODI-FINAL_23JUN1979.html England v West Indies, 1979 World Cup Final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013040335/http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC79/WI_ENG_WC79_ODI-FINAL_23JUN1979.html |date=13 October 2008 }} [[CricInfo]]. Retrieved 23 March 2008.</ref> Boycott ended the competition with the sixth highest strike rate of 42.99 and an average of 23.00.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC79/AVS/WC79_AVS_ENG.html|title=World Cup, 1979 – Averages – England|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=12 May 2009|archive-date=9 May 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050509072557/http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC79/AVS/WC79_AVS_ENG.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the World Cup, against Australia during a Test match at Perth [[English cricket team in Australia in 1979–80|in 1979–80]], Boycott became the first man to be marooned on 99 not out in a Test when he ran out of partners. England then<!-- it was over a year later --> [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1980–81|toured the West Indies]]. Here, Boycott again faced the West Indies' feared pace attack, but succeeded in scoring centuries<!-- only scored one century on the tour --> off the likes of Holding, Roberts, [[Colin Croft]] and [[Joel Garner]], despite having passed the age of 40 the previous year.<ref name="McKinstry, p. 31"/> Other batsmen, such as [[David Gower]], found the attack difficult to cope with, and the later England captain stated that Boycott often had no sympathy.<ref name=k200>McKinstry, p. 200.</ref> Boycott was the third most successful batsman, behind Gooch and Gower, during a tour in which England went down 2–0. He scored 70 in the opening match, the only England player to pass 50.<ref name=k200/>

In the third match, in [[Bridgetown]], Barbados, Boycott was to face what was later said to be Holding's greatest over.<ref name=greatover/> Boycott was hit on the gloves by the first delivery, played-and-missed the second outside off stump, was hit on the thigh by the third, fended the next two deliveries away with his bat, and was then bowled by the final delivery.<ref name="greatover">{{cite web |last=Williamson |first=Martin |date=5 February 2005 |title=The greatest over of them all? |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-greatest-over-of-them-all-144327 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318001407/http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/144327.html |archive-date=18 March 2009 |access-date=12 May 2009 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref name=k201>McKinstry, p. 201.</ref> Though in 1987 Boycott would claim a 1966 delivery by [[Gary Sobers]] to be the best he ever faced in cricket,<ref>Boycott, p. 110.</ref> he noted of Holding's over that "for the first time in my life I can look at a scoreboard with a duck against my name and not feel a profound sense of failure."<ref name=k201/> Boycott led an England fightback in the fourth Test. Having watched Holding's over several times on video, and worked in the nets on his game, Boycott came out and made 38 in the first innings and then hit his twentieth Test century. His career run total was now 7,410, gaining on Gary Sobers' record of 8,032.<ref>McKinstry, p. 202.</ref>

He then played in the [[1981 Ashes series]], despite being aged 40. During the second Test at [[Lord's]] Boycott was dismissed 40 short of a hundred by [[Dennis Lillee]], and was "crushed" given that, as it was his hundredth Test match, he wished to score a century.<ref name=mh21>Meher-Homji, p. 21.</ref> Forever keen on the England captaincy, Boycott's hopes were cut short when Botham's 149 not&nbsp;out secured victory in Boycott's 101st Test match, and [[Mike Brearley]]'s position as captain was made secure.<ref name=mh22>Meher-Homji, p. 22.</ref>

During the series, Boycott became concerned with his form and that he may be dropped before he could chase Sobers' record in the upcoming tour of India. He had scored only 10 and 37 in the Fifth Test; however, in the drawn Sixth Test at [[The Oval]] he scored 137, passing Colin Cowdrey's record of 7624 runs and becoming England's highest run-scorer.<ref>McKinstry, p. 203.</ref> He ended the series behind only Botham, with 392 runs at 32.66.<ref name="1981 eng batting avg">{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Events/ENG/Australia_in_British_Isles_1981/t_England_Batting.html|title=Test Batting and Fielding for England Australia in British Isles 1981|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription|access-date=14 August 2009|archive-date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020144917/http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Events/ENG/Australia_in_British_Isles_1981/t_England_Batting.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==='Bye-bye Boycott'===
Boycott was again refused the captaincy for the next Test series against [[India cricket team|India]] over the winter of 1981–82. Angered by this decision, he stated that "even the Yorkshire Ripper got a fair trial in the dock but I've not been given a single chance."<ref name=mh21/><ref name="hopps18"/> He later battled [[Keith Fletcher]] over his slow scoring rate, playing Fletcher's comments to him during a press conference using a tape recorder.<ref name=k261>McKinstry, p. 261.</ref> The series against India was to be his last. In his final ODI match during England's tour he scored 6 from 12 deliveries.<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64181.html 2nd ODI: India v England at Jalandhar, 20 December 1981] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106092538/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64181.html |date=6 January 2009 }} [[CricInfo]]. Retrieved 7 May 2009.</ref> During the following Test series he passed Sobers' career run record, hitting 60 in the first Test, 36 and 50 in the second to take him 81 runs short, and in the third Test he overtook the record with a flick off his pads for four.<ref>McKinstry, p. 228.</ref> He became the leading Test run-scorer.<ref name="The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket"/> In his last Test match, the fourth of the tour, taking place in January 1982, he scored 18 and six.<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63301.html 4th Test: India v England at Kolkata] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009144353/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63301.html |date=9 October 2007 }}, CricInfo.com, 1–6 January 1982; retrieved 7 May 2009.</ref> During the tour, Boycott claimed he was too ill to field in a Test Match, but it was later discovered that he was playing golf while his teammates were still out on the field.<ref name=k229/>

This led to Boycott being dropped from the side and forced to return to England, despite apologising via a note to the England dressing room.<ref name=mh22/><ref>McKinstry, p. 230.</ref> He claimed in his autobiography, however, that he went to the golf course following medical advice to get fresh air.<ref name=k229>McKinstry, p. 229</ref> Later in 1982 he was instrumental in organising, in defiance of a United Nations and a [[Test and County Cricket Board|TCCB]] ban, a [[South African rebel tours#English XI, 1981–82|rebel tour]] of [[South Africa under apartheid|apartheid South Africa]] by 13 current and former England Test cricketers, who were almost all nearing the end of their careers. All the players were banned from international cricket for three years as a result.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 231–35</ref> By the mid-1980s, with Boycott in good county form and physical shape, there was speculation that he might return to the England side. [[David Gower]], England captain of the time, stated, however, that "Geoffrey's been a marvellous servant for England but we have to look to the future and, in view of his age, it wouldn't make an awful lot of sense to pick him again." This was confirmed by the return of Graham Gooch and [[Tim Robinson (English cricketer)|Tim Robinson]]'s 175 against Australia at Leeds, which prompted Botham, who had once remarked that Boycott was "totally, almost insanely, selfish",<ref name="hopps18">Hopps, p. 18.</ref> to sing 'Bye-bye Boycott' from the England balcony.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 254–255.</ref>

==Commentator, controversy and personal life==

===Commentating===

{{Quote box
| quote = If Geoffrey had played cricket the way he talked he would have had people queuing up to get into the ground instead of queuing up to leave.<ref name="hopps19">Hopps, p. 19.</ref>
| source = – [[Fred Trueman]] on Boycott's commentating career in 1993
| width = 35%
| align = right
}}

Cricket commentator and statistician [[Simon Hughes (commentator)|Simon Hughes]] states that Boycott is fastidious in the commentary box, always immaculately dressed, and never socialises with the other staff.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/76547.html |title=Conviction costs Boycott outlet for unique voice |date=12 November 1998 |work=The Daily Telegraph (reprinted on CricInfo) |access-date=12 May 2009 |archive-date=9 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709043705/http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/76547.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Bill Sinrich, of [[Trans World International]], commented that Boycott "fulfilled all our hopes. He was animated, intelligent, informed, with opinions that got the attention of most people."<ref name="paradox"/>

Boycott laid claim to coining the phrase "[[corridor of uncertainty]]" as a reference to the area outside the off stump where a batsman is unsure whether he should leave or hit the ball, and was noted for using a key to measure the hardness of the pitch, until this was outlawed.<ref name=guardbio/> He is known for stock phrases including (of dropped catches) that his mother or grandmother "could have caught that in her [[Pinafore|pinny]]" or (of an easy batting miss) that they could have "hit the ball with a stick of [[rhubarb]]." These phrases inspired much affectionate spoofing of his style.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boycott.gdb.me/quotes |title=Boycott Bingoism – the quotes |access-date=13 March 2015 |archive-date=29 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329090807/http://boycott.gdb.me/quotes |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bodylinetshirts.com/catalogue/tshirts/all/a-stick-of-rhubarb-tshirt.html |title=A Stick Of Rhubarb T-Shirt |access-date=13 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153310/http://www.bodylinetshirts.com/catalogue/tshirts/all/a-stick-of-rhubarb-tshirt.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Boycott was offered a role by [[Talksport]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/211569.stm |title=Boycott loses assault case |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=10 November 1998 |access-date=7 May 2009 |archive-date=31 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331043058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/211569.stm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Greaves |first1=David |last2=Herbert |first2=Susannah |date=11 November 1998 |title=Broadcasters drop Boycott as assault conviction is upheld |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/broadcasters-drop-boycott-as-assault-conviction-is-upheld-11-november-1998-76471 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302115811/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/76471.html |archive-date=2 March 2008 |access-date=7 May 2009 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> He commentated for the station, and for satellite and Asian channels, until 2003. He then returned to commentating of Test matches with [[Channel 4]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Weaver |first=Paul |title=Boycott's five-year hiatus ends in Channel 4 call-up |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/dec/19/cricket.media |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=19 December 2003}}</ref> In November 2005, Boycott re-joined the BBC's ''[[Test Match Special]]'' to provide commentary for England's 2005 tour of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Press Releases Boycott joins BBC Test Match Special for Pakistan tour |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/10_october/26/cricket.shtml |work=BBC |date=26 October 2005}}</ref> In January 2006, Boycott joined Asian channel [[Ten Sports]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ten Sports elated with SC Judgement |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/ten-sports-elated-with-sc-judgement/story-8jixlMiYthhTOdLexMtTzI.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=10 January 2006 |quote=Ten Sports are now planning to do "pre and post game programming featuring top analysts and former players Geoff Boycott, Imran Khan and Nasser Hussain."}}</ref> He delivered the 2005 [[Colin Cowdrey]] Lecture, arguing for day-night Test matches.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hopps |first=David |title=Does the Cowdrey Lecture matter? |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/david-hopps-on-the-relevance-of-the-colin-cowdrey-lecture-918689 |website=Cricinfo |date=10 September 2015}}</ref>

Boycott worked on ''Cricket on Five'' with [[Mark Nicholas]] and Simon Hughes as co-commentators, and was a member of the BBC Cricket Team for the 2006/7 Ashes series. His role was to discuss the main talking points. During England's 5–0 whitewash by Australia, Boycott stated that the team were undeserving of their [[Order of the British Empire|MBEs]], describing these as "a joke".<ref name=flop/>

Boycott has been credited with a high level of influence in the game; Yorkshire's Chief Executive Stewart Regan credited Boycott for completing a deal for [[Younis Khan]] to play county cricket for Yorkshire in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/counties/yorkshire/6099402.stm |title=Boycott 'key to Younis signing' |publisher=BBC |work=BBC Sport |date=30 October 2006 |access-date=7 May 2009 |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526214746/https://secure-uk.imrworldwide.com/cgi-bin/m?rnd=1622065665070&ci=bbc&cg=0&sr=1600x1000&ts=v51.js&cd=24&lg=en-US&je=n&ck=y&tz=0&ct=&hp=&tl=BBC%20SPORT%20%7C%20Cricket%20%7C%20Counties%20%7C%20Yorkshire%20%7C%20Boycott%20%27key%20to%20Younis%20signing%27&si=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2Fsport2%2Fhi%2Fcricket%2Fcounties%2Fyorkshire%2F6099402.stm&rp= |url-status=live}}</ref> On a larger scale, Boycott has worked towards scrapping the rule at Yorkshire regarding the number of overseas players. He stated that he believed the selectors to be living in "past times", and that he wished to encourage a growth in the number of players from Pakistan, the West Indies and India.<ref name=w188>Williams, p. 188.</ref>

His on-air commentary has caused controversy. Boycott has renewed his "pull-no-punches" style. He is known for criticising players, often in a caustic and strident style. In 2005, he mocked the Australian captain [[Ricky Ponting]] for electing to bowl first on a batsman-friendly pitch. In 2006, he was initially receptive to the difficulties endured by [[Marcus Trescothick]] during his periods of stress-related illness; however, he was not always as amiable.<ref name=tresconice/>

In 2014, Boycott criticised Indian batsman [[Gautam Gambhir]] during India's tour of England when he was dismissed early on, whereas his fellow commentator [[Michael Vaughan]] suggested it was premature to pass judgment so early in the match.<ref>{{cite web |title=When Gautam Gambhir Was Slammed On-Air by Geoffrey Boycott for His Batting Disasterclass |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/when-gautam-gambhir-was-slammed-on-air-by-geoffrey-boycott-for-his-batting-disasterclass-india-vs-england-he-is-rubbish/715191 |website=Times Now |date=3 February 2021 |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Watch: When Geoffrey Boycott Slammed Gautam Gambhir for His Poor Batting |url=https://www.sky247.net/cricket/watch-when-geoffrey-boycott-slammed-gambhir-for-his-poor-batting/ |website=Sky247 |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref>

Nevertheless, Boycott has enjoyed a successful commentating career, and his opinions are sought across the cricketing media. As well as newspaper columns, Boycott contributes to online blogs, [[podcasts]] and question and answer sessions, such as on the [[BBC News]] website and [[CricInfo]].<ref name="bowlatboycs">{{cite web |url=http://content.cricinfo.com/talk/content/multimedia/399586.html?view=transcript |title=Bowl at Boycs – Geoffrey Boycott answers your questions on all things cricket |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=16 April 2009 |access-date=16 April 2009 |archive-date=19 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419105342/http://content.cricinfo.com/talk/content/multimedia/399586.html?view=transcript |url-status=live}}</ref> He is popular among cricket pundits and biographers, being the subject of three biographies from 1982 to 2000,<ref name="paradox"/> while his comments are reproduced across cricketing quotes collections.<ref name="hopps19"/>
In June 2020, Boycott announced his retirement from ''Test Match Special'', citing the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]] and his heart surgery as the reasons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir Geoffrey Boycott leaves Test Match Special after 14 years |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52944158 |date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608140129/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52944158 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Domestic violence and conviction===

Boycott lived for forty years with Anne Wyatt.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boycott: A life in the middle |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/734456.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=7 April 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040407035529/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/734456.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1996, a former lover, Margaret Moore, accused Boycott of assault. He denied the charges.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/11326605/Geoffrey-Boycott-has-been-robbed-twice-first-by-the-French-courts-then-by-Whitehall.html|title=Geoffrey Boycott has been robbed twice - first by the French courts, then by Whitehall|first=Leo|last=McKinstry|date=5 January 2015|access-date=11 June 2020|work=The Daily Telegraph|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611023342/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/11326605/Geoffrey-Boycott-has-been-robbed-twice-first-by-the-French-courts-then-by-Whitehall.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was convicted in his absence at the first trial in January.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/honours-list/11922112/Geoffrey-Boycott-must-be-knighted-after-new-evidence-points-to-his-innocence-over-domestic-abuse-case.html|title=Geoffrey Boycott 'must be knighted' after new evidence points to his innocence over domestic abuse case|first=Gordon|last=Rayner|date=23 October 2015|access-date=11 June 2020|work=The Daily Telegraph|archive-date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610212905/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/honours-list/11922112/Geoffrey-Boycott-must-be-knighted-after-new-evidence-points-to-his-innocence-over-domestic-abuse-case.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the second trial, in October 1998, Boycott was given a three-month suspended sentence by a French magistrates' court,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/76470.html|title=Boycott sentenced to three months suspended|date=10 November 1998|publisher=AFP and CricInfo|access-date=12 May 2009|archive-date=2 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302115808/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/76470.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and his £5,300 fine was confirmed.<ref>McKinstry, p. 314.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/211569.stm|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|title=Boycott loses assault case|date=10 November 1998|access-date=17 June 2007|archive-date=16 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416114528/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/211569.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/13/judge-who-convicted-geoffrey-boycott-i-stand-by-my-verdict|title=Judge who convicted Geoffrey Boycott: I stand by my verdict|first1=Kim|last1=Willsher|first2=Simon|last2=Murphy|date=13 September 2019|access-date=10 June 2020|work=The Guardian|archive-date=16 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616191427/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/13/judge-who-convicted-geoffrey-boycott-i-stand-by-my-verdict|url-status=live}}</ref>

Boycott maintained his innocence and unsuccessfully appealed the conviction.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/49075.stm |title=Angry Boycott denies assault charges |date=22 January 1998 |work=BBC News|access-date=12 May 2009 |archive-date=20 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220143055/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/49075.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/boycotts-assault-appeal-dismissed-by-french-court-716835.html |location=London |work=The Independent |first=John |last=Lichfield |title=Boycott's assault appeal dismissed by French court |date=4 May 2000 |access-date=27 October 2017 |archive-date=27 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327111832/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/boycotts-assault-appeal-dismissed-by-french-court-716835.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/211569.stm |title=Boycott loses assault case |work=BBC News|access-date=2019-09-10|archive-date=31 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331043058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/211569.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, an investigation by the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' alleged that Moore's injury had been caused by a fall, while a separate incident documented in court papers revealed Moore's barrister had demanded £1 million from Boycott in return for her silence. Moore's lack of honesty had been documented in court cases relating to her business.<ref>Yorkshire Post, 25 October 2015 [https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/latest-news/could-new-evidence-clear-way-for-boycott-honour-1-7535093 could new evidence clear way for boycott honour]{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/honours-list/11922112/Geoffrey-Boycott-must-be-knighted-after-new-evidence-points-to-his-innocence-over-domestic-abuse-case.html|title=Geoffrey Boycott 'must be knighted' after new evidence points to his innocence over domestic abuse case|first=Gordon|last=Rayner|date=23 October 2015|access-date=10 June 2020|work=The Telegraph|archive-date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610212905/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/honours-list/11922112/Geoffrey-Boycott-must-be-knighted-after-new-evidence-points-to-his-innocence-over-domestic-abuse-case.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After his conviction, Boycott was sacked by both [[BSkyB]] and [[BBC Radio]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/51608.stm|title=BSkyB drops Boycott|date=29 January 1998|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 May 2009|archive-date=14 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114055538/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/51608.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/51237.stm|title=Boycott dropped by BBC|date=28 January 1998|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 May 2009|archive-date=14 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114055607/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/51237.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> and from his columnist's job in ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/211959.stm|title=Boycott facing test of public opinion|date=11 November 1998|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 May 2009|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819193504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/211959.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/211569.stm|title=Boycott loses assault case|date=10 November 1998|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 May 2009|archive-date=16 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416114528/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/211569.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Boycott carried on working overseas, particularly in India. He hosted ''The Sunny and Boycs Show'' with [[Sunil Gavaskar]] and the touring Indian team at his home in August 2002.<ref>McKinstry, p. 319.</ref> Boycott married Rachael Swinglehurst on 26 February 2003. They have a daughter, Emma (born October 1988).<ref name="m327"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2404545/Boycott-shows-his-fighting-spirit-against-cancer.html|title=Boycott shows his fighting spirit against cancer|last=Searby|first=Martin|date=22 May 2003|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 May 2009|location=London, UK|archive-date=20 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720034307/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2404545/Boycott-shows-his-fighting-spirit-against-cancer.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/2825229.stm|title=Cricket legend Boycott marries|date=6 March 2003|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 May 2009|archive-date=11 July 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040711055542/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/2825229.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Throat cancer===

Boycott commentated for Talksport, and both Indian and South African television programmes in 2002, during which he suffered a continual sore throat. Finding a lump while shaving, Boycott returned to England, and on 20 August 2002 was examined at [[Leeds General Infirmary]]. By 3 September 2002, he was informed that he had four cancerous tumours in his throat.<ref name=guardbio/>

Initially, surgeons recommended an eight-hour procedure to remove the tumours; their size and proximity to his voice box eventually persuaded them to recommend [[radiotherapy]], of which Boycott had 35 sessions from 22 October. By December, scans revealed that the majority of the tumours had gone; the final tumour's disappearance was confirmed in early 2003. Although initially reluctant to discuss his health with the public, he spoke privately with his daughter, Emma, and then released a public statement, which evoked an emotional response.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 324-25.</ref> On 16 August 2003, he was given a standing ovation by the crowd at [[Trent Bridge]] as he and other cricketers did a lap of the ground in vehicles to celebrate Trent Bridge's 50th Test match.<ref name=m327>McKinstry, p. 327.</ref> In early July 2024, Boycott revealed he had been diagnosed with throat cancer for a second time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c880vdrygl0o|title=Boycott reveals second cancer diagnosis|date=2 July 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=18 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/07/02/sir-geoffrey-boycott-cancer-diagnosis-england-yorkshire/|title=Sir Geoffrey Boycott reveals cancer diagnosis|work=The Telegraph |date=2 July 2024 |accessdate=18 July 2024 |last1=Hoult |first1=Nick }}</ref> He underwent a three hour operation later that month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cyj4xvl3mw4o|title=Boycott has surgery on throat cancer|date=17 July 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=18 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/cricket/1924653/sir-geoffrey-boycott-cricket-cancer-surgery|title=Sir Geoffrey Boycott's daughter pens positive update after cricket icon's cancer diagnosis|date=17 July 2024 |publisher=Daily Express|accessdate=18 July 2024}}</ref>

===Return to commentary===

Boycott resumed writing for ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' and commentating on [[Channel Four]] for the Cheltenham and Gloucester Championship Final and the following summer's cricket. [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] then hired Boycott in early 2004. His illness altered his voice and led to a more pleasant personality.<ref>McKinstry, pp. 328–30.</ref> In September 2004, Boycott wrote a posthumous tribute to lifelong friend [[Brian Clough]] for ''The Daily Telegraph''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/geoffreyboycott/2387169/A-tribute-to-Brian-Clough.html|title=A tribute to Brian Clough|last=Boycott|first=Geoffret|date=22 September 2004|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|access-date=19 September 2009|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112123145/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/geoffreyboycott/2387169/A-tribute-to-Brian-Clough.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early 2008, there was speculation that Boycott would be given a role on the England coaching staff,<ref name=nocoach/> but this came to nothing.<ref name=nocoach>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/7389791.stm|title=Do not rush Flintoff, says Botham|date=8 May 2008|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 May 2009|archive-date=12 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512181559/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7389791.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> He continued commentating for TMS, criticising the England team's approach to the ODI matches under Pietersen in India in November 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/7747952.stm|title=Preview – India v England ODI series – 5th ODI 26 November|date=25 November 2008|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC website|access-date=25 November 2008|first=Jamie|last=Lillywhite|archive-date=11 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411222512/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7747952.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in November, [[Leo McKinstry]] published a new biography of Boycott.<ref name="paradox">{{cite web|url=http://content.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/376815.html|title=The paradox of Sir Geoffrey|last=Lynch|first=Steven|date=15 November 2008|work=CricInfo|publisher=ESPN|access-date=1 June 2009|archive-date=25 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325014725/http://content.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/376815.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 January 2009, Boycott was inducted into the [[ICC Hall of Fame]].<ref name=icchalloffame/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/11/11070.html|title=Four England players included in Hall of Fame|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription|access-date=4 May 2017|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819190138/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/11/11070.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He remained an active member of the cricket community, voicing his support in late April 2009 for Pakistan player [[Saeed Ajmal]], and calling for the legalisation of the [[doosra]] spin-bowling delivery.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://content.cricinfo.com/pakvaus2009/content/story/401756.html|title=Ramiz and Boycott call for legalising doosra|date=27 April 2009|work=CricInfo|publisher=ESPN|access-date=1 June 2009|archive-date=1 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501055206/http://content.cricinfo.com/pakvaus2009/content/story/401756.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2009 he criticised [[Kevin Pietersen]] for his captaincy difficulties, and in September he criticised [[Andrew Flintoff]] for favouring club cricket over internationals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pietersen-like-a-spoilt-child-boycott-414399|title=Pietersen like a spoilt child – Boycott|date=14 July 2009|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=20 December 2009|archive-date=17 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817164802/http://www.cricinfo.com/engvaus2009/content/story/414399.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ecb-should-sack-flintoff-if-he-favours-club-boycott-427298|title=ECB should sack Flintoff if he favours club – Boycott|date=29 September 2009|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=20 December 2009|archive-date=12 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212002751/http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/427298.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 
On 29 November 2009, Boycott was heard swearing on air in an ODI following a catch taken by [[Paul Collingwood]] that dismissed [[Ryan McLaren]]. The BBC issued an apology for the incident.<ref name="BBC apologises for Geoffrey Boycott's foul-mouth rant during cricket coverage">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6684700/BBC-apologises-for-Geoffrey-Boycotts-foul-mouth-rant-during-cricket-coverage.html|title=BBC apologises for Geoffrey Boycott's foul-mouth rant during cricket coverage|last=Khan|first=Urmee|date=30 November 2009|work=The Telegraph|access-date=26 January 2012|location=London, UK|archive-date=12 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312062639/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6684700/BBC-apologises-for-Geoffrey-Boycotts-foul-mouth-rant-during-cricket-coverage.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Do not feign outrage at Geoff Boycott putting the F into foul language">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/dec/04/geoffrey-boycott-foul-language|title=Do not feign outrage at Geoff Boycott putting the F into foul language|last=Selvey|first=Mike|date=4 December 2009|work=guardian.co.uk|access-date=26 January 2012|location=London, UK|archive-date=25 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025161443/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/dec/04/geoffrey-boycott-foul-language|url-status=live}}</ref>
Having long been nicknamed "Sir Geoffrey", Boycott was given that title when appointed a [[Knights Bachelor|Knight Bachelor]] in [[2019 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours|Theresa May's resignation honours]] on 10 September 2019.<ref name="Resignation honours 2019">{{cite web |title=Resignation Honours 2019 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resignation-honours-2019 |website=GOV.UK |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=10 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910023124/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resignation-honours-2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to criticism from anti-domestic abuse campaigners about his knighthood, Boycott said that he "does not give a toss".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27583947/geoffrey-boycott-give-toss-criticism-knighthood |title=Geoffrey Boycott 'doesn't give a toss' about criticism of knighthood |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=10 September 2019 |archive-date=11 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911153133/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27583947/geoffrey-boycott-give-toss-criticism-knighthood |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Politics===

Boycott supported the [[UK Independence Party]] and criticised "the way governments of all colours have handed powers to Brussels". He also expressed his support for Conservative Prime Minister [[Theresa May]], saying, "She'll be like [[Margaret Thatcher]], she'll be brilliant."<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/sport/2019/09/how-geoffrey-boycott-perennial-outsider-became-pillar-establishment | title= How Geoffrey Boycott, the perennial outsider, became a pillar of the establishment | work=New Statesman | first=Jonathan | last=Liew | date=18 September 2019 | access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>

===Presidency of Yorkshire, ''Corridor of Certainty''===
[[File:Boston Hall, Boston Spa (21st August 2017) 002.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boston Hall, Boston Spa|Boston Hall]] in [[Boston Spa]], the home of Boycott since 2013]]
In March 2012, Boycott was elected President of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Elected at an annual meeting, he gained 91.09% of the vote.<ref name="Geoffrey Boycott becomes new Yorkshire president">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/17514223|title=Geoffrey Boycott becomes new Yorkshire president|work=BBC News|date=26 March 2012|access-date=27 February 2014|archive-date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019001942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17514223|url-status=live}}</ref> The election came on the back of Yorkshire's relegation from the first to the second division of the County Championship, the reversal of which Boycott targeted immediately upon taking up the post. He remarked to the media that "The only thing that really matters to the membership is that Yorkshire do well in Championship cricket."<ref name="Geoffrey Boycott becomes new Yorkshire president"/> His tenure also presided over the club's 150th anniversary in 2013. In February 2014, it was revealed that former Test umpire and Yorkshire player Dickie Bird would replace Boycott.<ref name="Yorkshire: Former umpire Dickie Bird to become club president">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/26372165|title=Yorkshire: Former umpire Dickie Bird to become club president|work=BBC News|access-date=27 February 2014|archive-date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228213509/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/26372165|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2013, Boycott and his partner Rachael Swinglehurst purchased the Grade II [[Listed building|listed]] [[Boston Hall, Boston Spa|Boston Hall]] in [[Boston Spa]], [[West Yorkshire]], citing a desire to be closer to family, friends, and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/9908999/Geoffrey-Boycott-buys-1.75millon-Yorkshire-mansion.html|location=London, UK|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=Hayley|last=Dixon|title=Geoffrey Boycott buys £1.75millon Yorkshire mansion|date=5 March 2013|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=20 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820091828/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/9908999/Geoffrey-Boycott-buys-1.75millon-Yorkshire-mansion.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in 2014 he released a book entitled ''Geoffrey Boycott: The Corridor of Certainty'' with [[Simon & Schuster]]. ESPNcricinfo reviewed the piece in October, commenting on Boycott's more amiable personality since his recovery from cancer: "we have a much more rounded and nuanced book, full of self-awareness and a willingness, even eagerness, to acknowledge errors, failings and regrets... This a complex, driven man, whom we all recognise and admire for his achievements, revealing aspects of his life and survival that have hitherto been kept close to his chest."<ref>{{cite web |author=Smith, Les |date=19 October 2014 |title=A work of introspection, Boycott style |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/review-the-corridor-of-certainty-790203 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019033743/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/790203.html |archive-date=19 October 2014 |access-date=19 October 2014 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

==Playing style==

{{Quote box
 | quote =As I stood at the non-striker's end, I felt a wave of admiration for my partner; wiry, slight, dedicated, a lonely man doing a lonely job all these years.<ref name="hopps17">Hopps, p. 17.</ref>
 | source = – [[Mike Brearley]] admiring Boycott's talent with the bat in 1979.
 | width =35%
 | align =right
}}

Boycott's playing style revolved around intense concentration, solid defence and attention to detail, while avoiding heavy hitting or [[Batting (cricket)#Slog and slog sweep|slogging]].<ref>McKinstry, p. 24.</ref> He was described in ''The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket'' as "one of the greatest opening batsmen that the game has known. He dedicated his life to the art of batting, practising assiduously and eschewing any shot that might even hint at threatening the loss of his wicket."<ref name="The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket">{{cite book|last1=Arnold|first1=Peter|first2=Peter|last2=Wynne-Thomas|title=The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket|publisher=Carlton|year=2006|edition=3rd|page=175|isbn=978-1-84732-284-5}}</ref> Through his Test career, he scored 15.4% of England's runs, and England won 32.41% of the Tests in which Boycott played.<ref name="teststats">{{cite web|url=http://www.testmatchstats.com/player_analysis.asp?PlayerID=189&Opponent=0&Tour=0&MonthStart=Jan&YearStart=1876&MonthFinish=Jun&YearFinish=2009&ql=0&MatchType=T&Innings=0&Venue=0&MatchResult=All&ShowCareer=1&ShowBatting=1&ShowBowling=1&ShowFielding=1&x=79&y=3&FromForm=1#battingcharts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722135044/http://www.testmatchstats.com/player_analysis.asp?PlayerID=189&Opponent=0&Tour=0&MonthStart=Jan&YearStart=1876&MonthFinish=Jun&YearFinish=2009&ql=0&MatchType=T&Innings=0&Venue=0&MatchResult=All&ShowCareer=1&ShowBatting=1&ShowBowling=1&ShowFielding=1&x=79&y=3&FromForm=1#battingcharts|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2009|title=Geoffrey Boycott – Batting analysis|publisher=Test Match Stats|access-date=2 June 2009}}</ref> This compares with England's 34.76% victory rate over all Test cricket history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283877.html|title=Records/Test matches/Team records/Results summary|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 June 2009|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226134352/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283877.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Richard Anthony Hutton|Richard Hutton]], Yorkshire and England batsman and son of Len Hutton, described Boycott as a "one-pace player", suggesting that he was unable to alter his playing pace as the match circumstances dictated.<ref>McKinstry, p. 114.</ref> Nevertheless, Boycott maintained an "impeccable" defensive technique, and possessed a temperament ideally suited for five-day Test matches.<ref>McKinstry, p. 51.</ref> Arlott wrote that "his technique is based on a defence organised as near flawlessness as may be."<ref name="a127">Arlott, p. 127.</ref> Boycott himself remarked, in 1981, that: "Given the choice between [[Raquel Welch]] and a hundred at Lord's, I'd take the hundred every time."<ref name="hopps18"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Boycott 'set for pundit return'|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/2932994.stm|access-date=4 January 2015|publisher=BBC|date=23 May 2003|archive-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104212205/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/2932994.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> His careful batting is reflected in his 22 centuries for England, of which only two had a [[strike rate (cricket)|strike rate]] of over 51.00.<ref name="crichighscoresSR">{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;orderby=batted_score;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|title=G Boycott – High Scores|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 December 2008|archive-date=23 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723050225/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;orderby=batted_score;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|url-status=live}}</ref> Former England bowler [[Frank Tyson]] wrote in 1987, in ''The Test Within'', that "the greatness of Boycott the batsman and the gaffes of Boycott the man had common roots in an unceasing quest after perfection."<ref name="hopps18"/> Boycott also kept a black book which he used to record bowlers' tendencies.<ref>{{cite web|last=BT Sport|title=Cricket Masterclass: How to bat long in Tests with Vaughan, Ponting and Boycott|website=[[YouTube]]|date=4 December 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9fufvTkdMM|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204214607/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9fufvTkdMM&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

While this style facilitated his solid defensive play, it inhibited him as a stroke player and made him susceptible to hand and arm injuries, especially his left shoulder, elbow and forearm due to his high elbow to control the bat on defensive strokes. Such injuries would be common throughout his career.<ref>McKinstry, p. 98.</ref> One such injury almost required the tip of a broken finger to be amputated. He was occasionally vulnerable to left-arm bowlers, either due to his inability to adjust his line of stroke or because during his career there were few fast left-hand bowlers for him to practise against in the nets.<ref>McKinstry, p. 143.</ref> He was never vulnerable to any one particular bowler. Pace bowler [[Dennis Lillee]] was the most successful against him in Test matches, with seven dismissals. [[Gary Sobers]] also dismissed him seven times, but Lillee did so in fewer matches.<ref name="teststats"/><ref>McKinstry, p. 338.</ref> [[Peter Lever]], a Test colleague, discussed with Boycott his vulnerability when playing the hook stroke, which was to get him out on more than one occasion.<ref>McKinstry, p. 101.</ref><ref name="a128">Arlott, p. 128.</ref> Overall in Test cricket, 54% of Boycott's dismissals were by being caught, with lbw and bowled taking 14% and 16% respectively.<ref name="teststats"/> Boycott was an occasional medium-pace inswing [[bowler (cricket)|bowler]]. He was never a genuine [[all-rounder]], but took seven wickets at Test level at an average of 54.57, often bowling wearing his cap turned back-to-front to assist his vision.<ref name=guardbio/>

At the start of his career, Boycott was a below average fielder, having received no coaching on this from Yorkshire and with little inclination to rectify it when concentrating on his batting. A fellow Yorkshire batsman [[Ken Taylor (cricketer, born 1935)|Ken Taylor]] worked with Boycott, who was "limited in [fielding] ability, " but had "tremendous determination". With further help from his two brothers Boycott's fielding improved. He became a safe pair of hands generally at [[cover point]].<ref name="a126">Arlott, p. 126.</ref>

==Written works==
Boycott has written a number of works on cricket, including his own autobiography and a joint project on the biography of umpire [[Dickie Bird]]:

{{wikiquote}}
* ''Geoff Boycott's Book for Young Cricketers'', 1976.
* ''Put to the Test'', 1979.
* ''Opening up'', 1980.
* ''In The Fast Lane'', 1981
* ''Sir Geoffrey. 21 Years of Yorkshire Cricket'', 1984.
* ''Boycott: The Autobiography'', 1987.
* ''Free as a Bird: Life and Times of Harold "Dickie" Bird'' with David Hopps, 1997.
* ''Boycott on Cricket'', 1990.
* ''Geoffrey Boycott on Cricket'', 1999.
* ''The Best XI'', 2008
* ''Geoffrey Boycott: The Corridor of Certainty'', 2014
* ''Being Geoffrey Boycott'', 2022

==Records==
* ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]]'', a [[Wisden Cricketers of the Year|Cricketer of the Year]] for 1965,<ref name=cricpro/> when he played nine Test matches, scoring 617 runs with one century and four fifties at an average of 47.46.<ref>[http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=default;spanmax1=31+Dec+1965;spanmin1=01+Jan+1965;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting G Boycott – Batting analysis: 1965] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526214742/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=default;spanmax1=31+Dec+1965;spanmin1=01+Jan+1965;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting |date=26 May 2021 }} [[CricInfo]]. Retrieved 24 March 2008.</ref>
* Winner of the Walter Lawrence Trophy in 1970.<ref name=cricpro>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/geoff-boycott-9187|title=Player Profile: Geoffrey Boycott|last=Thicknesse|first=John|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 June 2009|archive-date=16 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916001505/http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/9187.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Test matches==

Boycott's abilities in the Test match theatre during his career of 17 years and 216 days<ref>[http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283451.html Test match records – longest career] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216034010/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283451.html |date=16 February 2008 }}, CricInfo.com; retrieved 7 May 2009.</ref> have left him with a number of [[Test cricket records]]. He is the seventh most capped player for England in Tests,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;team=1;template=results;type=allround|title=All-round records – Test matches|publisher=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=19 August 2017|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906235423/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;team=1;template=results;type=allround|url-status=live}}</ref> and has the sixth highest career runs total in Tests for an England player, 8114.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;team=1;template=results;type=batting|title=Batting records – Test matches|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222090016/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1%3Bteam%3D1%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting|archive-date=22 December 2011}}</ref> He was the fourteenth quickest player to reach 8,000 runs, taking 190 innings.<ref>[http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283187.html Fastest to 8,000 Test runs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214155149/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283187.html |date=14 February 2008 }}, CricInfo.com; retrieved 23 March 2008.</ref>

He topped the national averages for six seasons, the highest of any post-World War II player,<ref name=m341/> and is tied for fourth in the list of centuries for England behind only Joe Root, Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen.<ref name="Records/First-class matches/Batting records/Most hundreds in a career"/><ref name=m341>McKinstry, p. 341.</ref> England were unbeaten in all 22 test matches in which he scored a century (won 10, drawn 12).<ref name=batstat1/>

Boycott was also the first player to score 99 not out, and the first to score 99 and then a century in a Test match.<ref name=m341/> The forty-eight century partnerships he was involved was a record for any England player,<ref name=m341/> but has again been surpassed by Alastair Cook. In 1977 against Australia, Boycott became the first England player to bat on all five days of a Test match on his return to international cricket at Trent Bridge.<ref name=cricpro/> He spent the 629 minutes at the crease for 191 runs in 1977.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284006.html|title=Test matches – Longest individual innings (by minutes)|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 May 2009|archive-date=3 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403074329/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284006.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Opening partners===
Such was Boycott's longevity in the game that he had 16 opening partners for England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;view=fow_list|title=Statistics/Statsguru/Player Analysis/G Boycott|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2 June 2009|archive-date=23 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723044335/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;view=fow_list|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Partnership records - Games involving G Boycott (Eng), for the opening wicket|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=partners;partnership_wicketmax1=1;partnership_wicketval1=partnership_wicket;player_involve=1228;team=1;template=results;type=fow|work=ESPN Cricinfo|publisher=ESPN Sports Media|access-date=22 August 2017|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906165204/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=partners;partnership_wicketmax1=1;partnership_wicketval1=partnership_wicket;player_involve=1228;team=1;template=results;type=fow|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;width:80%"
|+ Boycott's opening partnerships for England in Test matches
|-
! scope="col" | Partner
! scope="col" | Innings
! scope="col" | Runs
! scope="col" | Partnership average
! scope="col" | Highest partnership
|- style="text-align:right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Dennis Amiss]]
| 19
| 990
| 55.00
| 209
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Bob Barber (cricketer)|Bob Barber]]
| 26
| 1171
| 46.84
| 234
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Ken Barrington]]
| 1
| 15
| —
| 15*
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Mike Brearley]]
| 21
| 874
| 41.61
| 185
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Alan Butcher]]
| 2
| 88
| 44.00
| 45
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Colin Cowdrey]]
| 2
| 24
| 24.00
| 21
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[John Edrich]]
| 35
| 1672
| 52.25
| 172
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Graham Gooch]]
| 49
| 1754
| 38.13
| 144
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Wayne Larkins]]
| 2
| 61
| 30.50
| 61
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Brian Luckhurst]]
| 12
| 675
| 56.25
| 171
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Colin Milburn]]
| 6
| 146
| 24.33
| 63
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[John Murray (cricketer, born 1935)|John Murray]]
| 2
| 45
| 22.50
| 28
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Derek Randall]]
| 3
| 61
| 20.33
| 52
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Brian Rose (cricketer)|Brian Rose]]
| 6
| 133
| 22.16
| 39
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Eric Russell (cricketer)|Eric Russell]]
| 3
| 46
| 15.33
| 19
|- style="text-align: right"
| style="text-align:left" | [[Fred Titmus]]
| 2
| 59
| 29.50
| 38
|}
The reason why these figures cover only 191 of Boycott's 193 Test innings is because he batted at No.4 in both innings of the third Test against West Indies at Bridgetown in March 1974 (after Denness, Amiss and Jameson). He opened the batting in the other four Tests in that series.

===Career performance===
{| class="wikitable"  style="margin:1em auto 1em auto; width:80%;"
|+ Boycott's international Test figures for batting<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting
| title = CricInfo Stats – G. Boycott – Test Batting – Career summary
| access-date = 23 March 2008
| work = [[ESPNcricinfo]]
| archive-date = 19 July 2009
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090719235403/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting
| url-status = live
}}</ref> and bowling<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling|title=CricInfo Stats – G. Boycott- Test Bowling – Career summary|access-date=23 March 2008|work=ESPNcricinfo|archive-date=23 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723032001/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling|url-status=live}}</ref> by opposition
|-
! scope="colgroup" colspan=2| &nbsp;
! scope="colgroup" colspan=4| Batting
! scope="colgroup" colspan=4| Bowling
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align:left; " | Opposition
! scope="col" | Matches
! scope="col" | Runs
! scope="col" | Average
! scope="col" | High score
! scope="col" | 100 / 50
! scope="col" | Runs
! scope="col" | Wickets
! scope="col" | Average
! scope="col" | Best
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|Australia}}
| | 38
| | 2945
| | 47.50
| | 191
| | 7/14
| | 107
| | 2
| | 53.50
| | 2/32
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|India}}
| | 13
| | 1084
| | 57.05
| | 246*
| | 4/2
| | 8
| | 0
| | –
| | –
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|New Zealand}}
| | 15
| | 916
| | 38.16
| | 131
| | 2/6
| | 30
| | 0
| | –
| | –
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|Pakistan}}
| | 6
| | 591
| | 84.42
| | 121*
| | 3/3
| | 4
| | 0
| | –
| | –
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|South Africa|1928}}
| | 7
| | 373
| | 37.30
| | 117
| | 1/2
| | 217
| | 5
| | 43.40
| | 3/47
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|West Indies}}
| | 29
| | 2205
| | 45.93
| | 128
| | 5/15
| | 16
| | 0
| | –
| | –
|- style="text-align: right; border-top: solid 2px gray; "
| style="text-align:left; " | Overall
| | 108
| | 8114
| | 47.72
| | 246*
| | 22/42
| | 382
| | 7
| | 54.57
| | 3/47
|}

[[Image:Geoff Boycott Graph.png|center|thumb|480px|An innings-by-innings breakdown of Boycott's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line). The blue dots indicate an innings where he was not dismissed.<ref name="testlist">{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|title=Statsguru|access-date=30 June 2008|work=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|archive-date=21 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121074721/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

==One-Day Internationals==
Boycott's ODI career was noticeably less productive than his Test career.<ref name=k163/> He did, however, face the first One-Day International ball ever bowled, and was the first batsman to be dismissed in what was the first ever ODI game.<ref name=cricpro/> The match, considered a one-off at the time due to ODI cricket being in its infancy, was hastily arranged to cover a washed out [[1970-71 Ashes]] Test.<ref name="England v Australia 1970-71 ODI - Wisden Report">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/154142.html|title=England v Australia 1970–71 ODI – Wisden Report|last=Hungin|first=Jonathan|work=Wisden|publisher=John Wisden & Co|access-date=27 January 2012|archive-date=22 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022085024/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/154142.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Career performance:'''
{| class="wikitable"  style="margin:1em auto 1em auto; width:80%;"
|+ Boycott's international ODI figures for batting<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting|title=CricInfo Stats – G. Boycott – ODI Batting – Career summary|access-date=23 March 2008|work=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|archive-date=23 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723024043/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting|url-status=live}}</ref> and bowling<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=2;template=results;type=bowling|title=CricInfo Stats – G. Boycott – ODI Bowling – Career summary|access-date=23 March 2008|work=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|archive-date=23 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723012437/http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/9187.html?class=2;template=results;type=bowling|url-status=live}}</ref> by opposition
|-
! scope="colgroup" colspan=2| &nbsp;
! scope="colgroup" colspan=4| Batting
! scope="colgroup" colspan=4| Bowling
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align:left; " | Opposition
! scope="col" | Matches
! scope="col" | Runs
! scope="col" | Average
! scope="col" | High score
! scope="col" | 100 / 50
! scope="col" | Runs
! scope="col" | Wickets
! scope="col" | Average
! scope="col" | Best
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|Australia}}
| | 17
| | 686
| | 52.76
| | 105
| | 1/5
| | 42
| | 2
| | 13.00
| | 2/15
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|Canada}}
| | 1
| | 14
| | –
| | 14*
| | 0/0
| | 3
| | 0
| | –
| | –
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|India}}
| | 2
| | 11
| | 5.50
| | 6
| | 0/0
| | –
| | –
| | –
| | –
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|New Zealand}}
| | 3
| | 37
| | 12.33
| | 20
| | 0/0
| | 24
| | 1
| | 24.00
| | 1/24
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|Pakistan}}
| | 4
| | 27
| | 9.00
| | 18
| | 0/0
| | 14
| | 2
| | 7.00
| | 2/14
|- style="text-align: right; "
| style="text-align:left; " | {{cr|West Indies}}
| | 9
| | 307
| | 34.11
| | 70
| | 0/4
| | 38
| | 0
| | –
| | –
|- style="text-align:right; border-top:solid 2px gray;"
| style="text-align:left; " | Overall
| | 36
| | 1082
| | 36.06
| | 105
| | 1/9
| | 105
| | 5
| | 21.00
| | 2/14
|}

==International centuries==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Boycott's Test centuries<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistics / Statsguru / G Boycott / Test matches / Hundreds|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/9187.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=start;runsmin1=100;runsval1=runs;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" | No.
! scope="col" | Score
! scope="col" | Against
! scope="col" | Pos.
! scope="col" | Inn.
! scope="col" | Test
! scope="col" | Venue
! scope="col" | H/A
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Result
! class="unsortable" scope="col"|Ref
|-
| 1
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1130}} 113
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 1 || 3 || 5/5 || [[The Oval]], London || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1964|August|13}} || Drawn || <ref name="1st Test 100">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17341/scorecard/62951/england-vs-australia-5th-test-australia-tour-of-england-1964|title=5th Test, Australia tour of England at London, Aug 13-18 1964|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 2
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1170}} 117
|| {{cr|SA|1928}} || 1 || 2 || 5/5 || [[St George's Park Cricket Ground|St George's Park]], [[Port Elizabeth]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1965|February|12}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17333/scorecard/62961/south-africa-vs-england-5th-test-england-tour-of-south-africa-1964-65|title=5th Test, England tour of South Africa at Port Elizabeth, Feb 12-17 1965|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 3
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|2465}} 246 [[not out]]
|| {{cr|IND}} || 2 || 1 || 1/3 || [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]], [[Leeds]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1967|June|8}} || Won || <ref name="Test high score">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17304/scorecard/63004/england-vs-india-1st-test-india-tour-of-england-1967|title=1st Test, India tour of England at Leeds, Jun 8-13 1967|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 4
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1160}} 116
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 2 || 2 || 5/5 || [[Bourda]], [[Georgetown, Guyana|Georgetown]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1968|March|28}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17297/scorecard/63018/west-indies-vs-england-5th-test-england-tour-of-west-indies-1967-68|title=5th Test, England tour of West Indies at Georgetown, Mar 28 – Apr 3 1968|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 5
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1280}} 128
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 1 || 1 || 1/3 || [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Old Trafford]], [[Manchester]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1969|June|12}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17282/scorecard/63039/england-vs-west-indies-1st-test-west-indies-tour-of-england-and-ireland-1969|title=1st Test, West Indies tour of England and Ireland at Manchester, Jun 12-17 1969|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 6
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1060}} 106
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 1 || 4 || 2/3 || [[Lord's]], London || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1969|June|26}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17282/scorecard/63040/england-vs-west-indies-2nd-test-west-indies-tour-of-england-and-ireland-1969|title=2nd Test, West Indies tour of England and Ireland at London, Jun 26 – Jul 1 1969|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 7
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1425}} 142 [[not out]]
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 1 || 3 || 4/7 || [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], [[Sydney]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1971|January|9}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17265/scorecard/63062/australia-vs-england-4th-test-england-marylebone-cricket-club-tour-of-australia-1970-71|title=4th Test, England [Marylebone Cricket Club] tour of Australia at Sydney, Jan 9-14 1971|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 8
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1195}} 119 [[not out]]
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 1 || 3 || 6/7 || [[Adelaide Oval]], [[Adelaide]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1971|January|29}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17265/scorecard/63064/australia-vs-england-6th-test-england-marylebone-cricket-club-tour-of-australia-1970-71|title=6th Test, England [Marylebone Cricket Club] tour of Australia at Adelaide, Jan 29 – Feb 3 1971|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 9
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1215}} 121 [[not out]]
|| {{cr|PAK}} || 1 || 1 || 2/3 || [[Lord's]], London || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17257/scorecard/63074/england-vs-pakistan-2nd-test-pakistan-tour-of-england-1971|title=2nd Test, Pakistan tour of England at London, Jun 17-22 1971|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 10
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1120}} 112
|| {{cr|PAK}} || 1 || 1 || 3/3 || [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]], [[Leeds]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1971|July|8}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17257/scorecard/63075/england-vs-pakistan-3rd-test-pakistan-tour-of-england-1971|title=3rd Test, Pakistan tour of England at Leeds, Jul 8-13 1971|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 11
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1150}} 115
|| {{cr|NZ}} || 1 || 2 || 3/3 || [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]], [[Leeds]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1973|July|5}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17229/scorecard/63110/england-vs-new-zealand-3rd-test-new-zealand-tour-of-england-1973|title=3rd Test, New Zealand tour of England at Leeds, Jul 5-10 1973|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 12
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1120}} 112
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 1 || 3 || 5/5 || [[Queen's Park Oval]], [[Port of Spain]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1974|March|30}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17218/scorecard/63121/west-indies-vs-england-5th-test-england-tour-of-west-indies-1973-74|title=5th Test, England tour of West Indies at Port of Spain, Mar 30 – Apr 5 1974|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 13
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1070}} 107
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 2 || 2 || 3/5 || [[Trent Bridge]], [[Nottingham]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1977|July|28}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17145/scorecard/63192/england-vs-australia-3rd-test-australia-tour-of-england-1977|title=3rd Test, Australia tour of England at Nottingham, Jul 28 – Aug 2 1977|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 14
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1910}} 191
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 2 || 1 || 4/5 || [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]], [[Leeds]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1977|August|11}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17145/scorecard/63193/england-vs-australia-4th-test-australia-tour-of-england-1977|title=4th Test, Australia tour of England at Leeds, Aug 11-15 1977|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 15
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1005}} 100 [[not out]] 
|| {{cr|PAK}} || 1 || 4 || 2/3 || [[Niaz Stadium]], [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1978|January|2}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17136/scorecard/63201/pakistan-vs-england-2nd-test-england-tour-of-pakistan-1977-78|title=2nd Test, England tour of Pakistan at Hyderabad, Jan 2-7 1978|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 16
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1310}} 131
|| {{cr|NZ}} || 2 || 1 || 2/3 || [[Trent Bridge]], [[Nottingham]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1978|August|10}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17124/scorecard/63215/england-vs-new-zealand-2nd-test-new-zealand-tour-of-england-and-netherlands-1978|title=2nd Test, New Zealand tour of England and Netherlands at Nottingham, Aug 10-14 1978|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 17
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1550}} 155
|| {{cr|IND}} || 2 || 1 || 1/4 || [[Edgbaston Cricket Ground|Edgbaston]], [[Birmingham]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1979|July|12}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17073/scorecard/63237/england-vs-india-1st-test-india-tour-of-england-1979|title=1st Test, India tour of England at Birmingham, Jul 12-16 1979|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 18
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1250}} 125
|| {{cr|IND}} || 1 || 3 || 4/4 || [[The Oval]], London || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1979|August|30}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17073/scorecard/63240/england-vs-india-4th-test-india-tour-of-england-1979|title=4th Test, India tour of England at London, Aug 30 – Sep 4 1979|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 19
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1285}} 128 [[not out]]
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 2 || 4 || 1/1 || [[Lord's]], London || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1980|August|28}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17051/scorecard/63271/england-vs-australia-only-test-australia-tour-of-england-1980|title=Only Test, Australia tour of England at London, Aug 28 – Sep 2 1980|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 20
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1045}} 104 [[not out]]
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 2 || 3 || 4/5 || [[Antigua Recreation Ground]], [[St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda|St. John's]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1981|March|27}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17039/scorecard/63284/west-indies-vs-england-4th-test-england-tour-of-west-indies-1980-81|title=4th Test, England tour of West Indies at St John's, Mar 27 – Apr 1 1981|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 21
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1370}} 137
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 1 || 2 || 6/6 || [[The Oval]], London || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1981|August|27}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17031/scorecard/63294/england-vs-australia-6th-test-australia-tour-of-england-1981|title=6th Test, Australia tour of England at London, Aug 27 – Sep 1 1981|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 22
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1050}} 105
|| {{cr|IND}} || 2 || 1 || 3/6 || [[Feroz Shah Kotla Ground|Feroz Shah Kotla]], [[Delhi]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1981|December|23}} || Drawn || <ref name="last Test 100">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16345/scorecard/63648/england-vs-new-zealand-3rd-test-new-zealand-tour-of-england-1994|title=3rd Test, New Zealand tour of England at Manchester, Jun 30 - Jul 5 1994|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=4 April 2019}}</ref>
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Boycott's one ODI century<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/9187.html?class=2;filter=advanced;runsmin1=100;runsval1=runs;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|title=Statistics / Statsguru / G Boycott / One-Day Internationals / Hundreds|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" | No.
! scope="col" | Score
! scope="col" | Against
! scope="col" | Pos.
! scope="col" | Inn.
! scope="col" | SR
! scope="col" | Venue
! scope="col" | H/A
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" | Ref
|-
|| 1
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1050}} 105 
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 2 || 1 || 84.67 || [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], [[Sydney]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1979|December|11}} || Won || <ref name="ODI 100">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8531/scorecard/65291/australia-vs-england-5th-match-benson-&-hedges-world-series-cup-1979-80|title=5th Match (D/N), Benson & Hedges World Series Cup at Sydney, Dec 11 1979|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
|}

== In popular culture ==
Boycott is mentioned in a verse of the [[Roy Harper (singer)|Roy Harper]] song "[[When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease]]", from the album ''[[HQ (album)|HQ]]'' (1975), though the album was renamed after the song for its release in the United States. The song uses the sport of cricket as a metaphor for death and mentions Boycott alongside another England cricketer from the time, [[John Snow (cricketer)|John Snow]], both by first name only in the line "And it could be Geoff and it could be John". The song is dedicated to both of them.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/dotty-about-ditties-in-the-dotball-game-1327697.html|title = Dotty about ditties in the dot-ball game: Cricket Diary; One-man stand|author = Stephen Brenkley|date = 7 July 1996|newspaper= The Independent|access-date=21 October 2021|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2404301/A-slap-in-the-face-for-young-shavers.html|title = A slap in the face for young shavers|author = Derek Pringle|date = 19 May 2003|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=21 October 2021|location=London}}</ref>

In 1984 Boycott was the subject of a documentary in the BBC 2 “[[40 Minutes|Forty Minutes]]” strand (series 3 Episode 26).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1491180/fullcredits/|title="Forty Minutes" Boycott (TV Episode 1984) - Full cast & crew - IMDb|accessdate=25 October 2025|via=www.imdb.com}}</ref>  It looked at the in-fight at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, the sacking & the eventual reinstating of Boycott at the special EGM in Harrogate.  Producer Andy Stevenson tells the story with archive footage and interviews with many interested parties.  
In 1987 [[Andrew Nickolds]] dramatized the events in “Our Geoff” with [[Patrick Malahide]] in the lead role. Both the play & the documentary used the song “Boycs Will Be Boycs”  as the theme music.

==Honours==

[[File:Knights Bachelor Insignia.png|thumb|80px|Insignia of a Knight Bachelor]]

* Boycott was made an [[Order of the British Empire|Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the Civil Division in the [[1980 Birthday Honours]] "for services to Cricket".<ref name="flop">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23380512-details/Geoffrey%20Boycott%20accuses%20England%20cricket%20flops%20of%20devaluing%20MBE/article.do|title=Geoffrey Boycott accuses England cricket flops of devaluing MBE |work=Evening Standard|access-date=7 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722050148/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23380512-details/Geoffrey%20Boycott%20accuses%20England%20cricket%20flops%20of%20devaluing%20MBE/article.do |archive-date=22 July 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48212 |supp=y|pages=9–10|date=13 June 1980}}</ref>
* He was [[Knight Bachelor|knighted]] in the [[2019 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours|2019 Resignation Honours]] of [[Theresa May]].<ref name="Resignation honours 2019"/>
* He was awarded honorary life membership of the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=MCC Honorary Life Members |url=https://www.lords.org/mcc/the-club/mcc-honorary-life-members |website=The Marylebone Cricket Club |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
* He was president of [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club]] between 2012 and 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Geoffrey Boycott: Yorkshire legend not backed - members' committee boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/35754928 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 March 2016}}</ref>
* He was awarded an [[Honorary degree|honorary doctorate]] of [[Sports Science]] by [[Leeds Beckett University|Leeds Metropolitan University]] on 20 July 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Honorary Graduate Directory |url=https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/-/media/files/alumninew/honorary-graduate-directory.pdf |website=Leeds Beckett University |access-date=4 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6ZGyu6jgeY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/C6ZGyu6jgeY| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Graduation 2010: Honorary Degree Profile - Geoffrey Boycott OBE|last=Leeds Beckett University|date=4 November 2021|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/local/leeds/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8811000/8811435.stm |title=Leeds Met University honour cricket legend Boycott   |date=12 July 2010 |website=BBC News |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==References==
===Printed sources===

{{refbegin}}
* [[John Arlott|Arlott, J.]] ''John Arlott's Book of Cricketers. 25 Favourites – Past and Present'', [[Sphere Books]], 1979. {{ISBN|0-7221-1277-7}}
* Armstrong, G. ''Legends of Cricket'', [[Allen and Unwin]], 2002. {{ISBN|1-86508-836-6}}
* Arnold, P. and [[P. Wynne-Thomas]], ''The Complete Encyclopaedia of Cricket'', 2006; {{ISBN|978-1-84732-284-5}}
*{{cite book |last1= Birley|first1=Derek|author-link1=Derek Birley|title=A Social History of English Cricket|year=1999|publisher=[[Aurum Press]]|isbn=1-85410-622-8 |ref=none}}
*{{cite book|last1=Booth|first1=Paul|title=G. Boycott|series=Famous Cricketers|volume=69|year=2002|location=West Bridgford, Nottingham|publisher=[[Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians]]|isbn=1-902171-62-4 |ref=none}}
* Boycott, G. ''Boycott: The Autobiography'', [[Pan Books]], 1987; {{ISBN|0-330-44737-8}}
* Boycott, G. ''Geoffrey Boycott on Cricket'', [[Ebury Press]], 1999. {{ISBN|0-09-185376-1}}
* Callaghan, J. ''Geoffrey Boycott'', [[Hamish Hamilton]], 1982; {{ISBN|0-241-10712-1}}
* Clark, C. D. ''The Test Match Career of Geoffrey Boycott'', [[Spellmount]], 1986; {{ISBN|0-946771-07-3}}
* Cox, R. W. ''British Sport: A Bibliography to 2000: Volume 3'', [[Routledge]], 2003; {{ISBN|0-7146-5252-0}}
* Hill, J. and J. Williams, [https://books.google.com/books?id=i2W27jWxgZQC&q=Sport+and+Identity+in+the+North+of+England ''Sport and Identity in the North of England''], [[Edinburgh University Press]], 1996; {{ISBN|1853310824}}
* Hopps, D. ''A Century of Great Cricket Quotes'', [[Robson Books]], 1998; {{ISBN|1-86105-228-6}}
* [[Leo McKinstry|McKinstry, Leo]], ''Geoff Boycott A Cricketing Hero'', [[HarperCollins]], 2005; {{ISBN|0-00-719693-8}}
* [[Kersi Meher-Homji|Meher-Homji, K.]] ''Heroes of 100 Tests: From Cowdrey and the Waughs to Warne, Tendulkar and Hooper'', Roseberg Publishing, 2003; {{ISBN|1-877058-11-4}}
* Tyers, Alan. "Beefy versus Boycott" ''[[The Wisden Cricketer]]'', September 2008.
* Whannel, G. ''Media Sport Stars: Masculinities and Moralities'', Routledge, 2002; {{ISBN|0-415-17037-0}}
* Williams, J. ''Cricket and Race'', [[Berg Publishers]], 2001; {{ISBN|1-85973-309-3}}
{{refend}}

===Online articles===

{{refbegin}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/geoffreyboycott|title=Geoffrey Boycott column archive|last=Boycott|first=Geoffrey|newspaper=Telegraph|access-date=7 May 2009|location=London, UK|archive-date=13 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213075933/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/geoffreyboycott/|url-status=live |ref=none}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/geoffreyboycott/2350363/Trescothick-first-victim-of-this-greedy-game.html|title=Trescothick first victim of this greedy game|last=Boycott|first=Geoffrey|date=16 November 2006|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=7 May 2009|location=London|archive-date=21 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421083744/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/geoffreyboycott/2350363/Trescothick-first-victim-of-this-greedy-game.html|url-status=live |ref=none}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jul/04/cricket.features2|title=First and last|last=Greenslade|first=Nick|date=4 July 2004|work=The Observer|access-date=7 May 2009|location=London|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224040728/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jul/04/cricket.features2|url-status=live |ref=none}}
* {{cite web|url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/252440.html|title=Who got Boycott biffing?|last=Lister|first=Simon|date=July 2006|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 May 2009|archive-date=10 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010200554/http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/252440.html|url-status=live |ref=none}}
* {{cite web|url=http://content.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/376815.html|title=The paradox of Sir Geoffrey|last=Lynch|first=Steven|date=15 November 2008|work=CricInfo|publisher=ESPN|access-date=16 April 2009|archive-date=25 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325014725/http://content.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/376815.html|url-status=live |ref=none}}
* {{cite web|url=http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/144327.html|title=The greatest over of them all?|last=Williamson|first=Martin|date=5 February 2005|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=7 May 2009|archive-date=11 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211111941/http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/144327.html|url-status=live |ref=none}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=9187}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adammountford/2010/10/under_the_duvet_with_tms_for_t.html|title=Under the duvet with TMS for the Ashes (Containing an audio commentary of Boycott's 100th Century)|work=[[Test Match Special]]|publisher=BBC }}
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