Born in Fitzwilliam, Yorkshire, Boycott played county cricket for Yorkshire and had an illustrious test career, playing for England almost continuously from 1964 until 1982 and scoring 22 centuries in the process. He was always a controversial figure, and spent some time in exile, overlooked for selection because of past misdemeanours.
As well as a batsman, Boycott was also a medium-pace bowler, but was never regarded as a genuine all-rounder.