Legendary all-rounder Sir Ian Botham has said his compatriot Ben Stokes deserved the whopping money he was bought for by Rising Pune Supergiants in the IPL auction earlier this month.

The England all-rounder became the most expensive player in this year’s auction and the most expensive foreign player of all time after being bought for INR 14.5 Crore by the Pune-based franchise. The explosive batsman, who shot to fame after scoring England’s fastest double ton in Tests when he slammed 258 from 198 balls against South Africa last year, began his career at Durham, where Botham is the newly appointed chairman.

One of the finest all-rounders of all time, Botham expressed his delight to see his countryman getting rewarded for his good show.

“He is getting for the IPL what most guys going to China to play football are getting for a fortnight’s wages,” Botham told a news conference at Durham’s Chester-le-Street headquarters.

“Cricket needs to move and I think players deserve the rewards. It’s a precarious living. You can have an injury and never play again and I think people realise that now,” he added.

Speaking about Stokes, he said: “I am very pleased for Ben. He is box office – that’s why he went for what he went for (in the IPL). His intention is not just to play, but to win, and that’s the kind of guy he is.

“He is uncomplicated, what you see is what you get and he is a breath of fresh air, so I wish him all the best. And he is very loyal to Durham County Cricket Club,” he added.