Until Stokes lit up Headingley on Sunday with his series-saving 135,
Botham's titanic 149 not out in the second innings of the 1981 Test against the Australians had been the benchmark.
The Blues announced deals for back-row forward
Botham, whose father Liam was a Cardiff player between 1997 and 2000, prop Keiron Assiratti and flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes.
Mike Brearley stepped into the breach and
Botham played on - a seemingly broken man.
Nottinghamshire bowler Stuart Broad moved on to 384 international dismissals - one ahead of
Botham - on Saturday as England thrashed West Indies inside three days in the first Test at Edgbaston.
Chairman Clive Leach left and
Botham is his successor, and will be given the task of picking the new team to manage matters off the field.
Botham will be his long-term successor once he returns from covering England's tour of India for Sky Sports, and he will be given the task of picking the new team to manage matters off the field.
That was Anderson's 384th scalp in Test cricket on his landmark 100th cap and saw him break
Botham's record which has stood for the last 23 years.
Flintoff, who is a pace bowling all-rounder and former England captain like
Botham, had reportedly retired forcefully through injury in 2009, and his ankles and knees have repeatedly been suffering from the pounding they took as he charged in.
Botham also played cricket domestically in Australia, as well as for Worcestershire and Durham, and had spells in the Football League with both Scunthorpe United and Yeovil Town.
Botham has repeatedly tipped England to secure their first ever whitewash success over the old enemy and believes injuries to the host's bowlers mean a "rebuilding" Australia side will struggle.
Botham had objected to a paragraph in Val's 1985 book A Suitable Job for a Woman, saying it was critical of her and her family.
JOS BUTTLER is English cricket's biggest hitter since Ian
Botham, according to a man who knows both men as well as anyone.