Boycott is brimful of optimism over new line in style

CRICKET legend Geoffrey Boycott is best remembered for his extraordinary batting exploits for Yorkshire and England but until now he has never been regarded as a fashion icon.

In the last two decades, he has developed a worldwide reputation in the commentary box as a forthright and astute observer of the game.

His voice has become important part of the action for those who follow cricket from beyond the boundary – but equally familiar for television viewers are his trademark wide-brimmed hats.

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Now these have led to an improbable venture into fashion, with the launch of his own branded headwear.

And for those who enjoy a day at the cricket, a night at the theatre or a bite out at a restaurant, the opening batsman famed for his analysis of cricketing technique has also branched out into another field by developing his own tailor-made cushions which were originally intended to overcome his own chronic back problems.

Boycott began wearing hats by chance in the West Indies in 1990 while covering the first Test match broadcast live by satellite – and the reasons were strictly practical.

It was agreed he should present a report describing the wicket but before he set out into the middle, former England colleague and co-commentator Tony Greig warned him to take a hat otherwise he would suffer in the burning Caribbean sun.

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He said: "They were wise words as the conditions on the pitch were like an oven. I grabbed a hat and that's where it started. I've been wearing one ever since.

"It is even more important to me now. After my tongue cancer, the radiation treatment that was necessary on my cheeks and neck has left my skin needing protection from any direct sunlight – even in England.

"When I was playing we weren't told about a lot about sun damage but people need to be aware of the dangers of skin cancer.

"I wear them for going to the cricket, playing golf or whatever I'm doing."

He joked: "It also stops my hair from blowing around."

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Aside from hats, for the last five years Boycott has also carried with him specially-designed foam cushions. These he credits with successfully tackling the chronic back problems that began in 1968 during the Test series against the Australians.

The injury, a swollen disc and loss of fluid, threatened to bring his career to a premature end. Following several months of intensive physiotherapy, he eventually returned to the game.

But the problem had not gone away and due to the loss of fluid in the disc, the spaces in the vertebrae narrowed and, over the years the discomfort grew worse.

Years of physiotherapy could not resolve the pain but, by pure chance, he hit on a solution during an evening at a theatre in Singapore where the seats were very low. He noticed a child's booster cushion had been left in the seat next to his and tried it out.

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"I sat on top of that and felt fantastic and my wife had the idea of a cushion," he said.

"It makes you sit upright in a proper position which is good for the back."

Boycott said today's armchairs and soft-padded settees were often too low to the ground, forcing people into a sitting posture where the knees are above the level of the hips, causing the back to hollow.

Various experiments were carried out until he came up with an exact specification for a cushion that was firm, to aid posture, but with sufficient "give" to make it comfortable when used for a long period.

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Most importantly, the depth of the cushion ensured that the hip to knee alignment was just right. He also specified a removable cover and a carrying strap so it is easy for him to take a cushion with him wherever he goes.

"A lot of people have a bit of back trouble but it's a simple idea to sit in a proper position," he said.

Boycott now uses them in his home, where he has around half a dozen, in the car, in restaurants, the theatre and in commentary boxes across the world. Since using the cushions, his back problems have disappeared.

Of Panama, India and Yorkshire

Geoffrey Boycott's original Panama hat from 1990 has now been replaced by a mesh design which is more breathable and comfortable.

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He estimates he has 50 hats but when he needs a new batch he turns to India where he has them specially made, matching each hat according to what he is wearing.

His cushions are also tailor-made by three Bradford firms including Quick Stitch, which supplies the material and makes up the cushions; Omar's Furniture, which supplies the special foam; and Endeavour Embroidery, where staff stitch his signature. Both the hats and cushions cost 30 each.

The straw-coloured hats have signed hat bands with three different colours. The cushions are available in any colour "so long as it's black".

To order online go to www.geoffboycott.com

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