Botham's distinguished career as an all-rounder ended in midseason only three years ago. It seems longer only perhaps because his powers had faded for some time before, though no one had forgotten what a titan he had been in his youth. Now Lloyd hopes and believes that Botham will be able to build a reputation as a technical guru, especially in the crucial art of fast, seam and swing bowling, where England stock has been so low since Botham and Bob Willis were in their prime.
These two gave England at least parity against most opposition between 1977, when Botham first burst on to the Test scene, and 1984 when he became the first man to complete a Test double of 3,000 runs and 300 wickets.
Many will be sceptical that this one-time hell-raiser, first heard of in Australian cricket circles when he landed a blow on Ian Chappell when he was just an unknown Somerset hopeful and finally dismissed by Queensland after an affray on an aeroplane in 1987, can now be an example to young cricketers. It would not surprise me, however, if the maturer character who has emerged with greater dignity from a career of unusually violent peaks and troughs, establishes a reputation as a coach similar to the one built up by his Australian alter ego, Dennis Lillee. Botham, after all, was a great player, physically the strongest all-rounder since W G Grace. His 5,200 runs and 383 wickets in 102 Tests earned him a respect amounting almost to awe among contemporary players.
For a short period in the late 1970s and early 1980s he was the most effective bowler in the world. Capable of genuine speed, he had not yet added the physical bulk which, allied to a lingering back injury, made him less incisive and took some of the sting out of his deliveries; but he could always swing the ball both ways at will.
There will be pleasure in the dressing room at least that he has been recruited. Whatever else Botham has been accused of - and he did not always use his great talent responsibly - his loyalty to English cricket has never been questioned and both his knowledge and his ability to identify with current players can only help to make the team more competitive.
Lloyd said yesterday that with Botham, John Emburey, Mike Gatting, Graham Gooch, Phil Neale - all playing contemporaries - he now had the ``management structure'' he wanted.
Botham will apparently combine his coaching duties with a continued presence in the Sky commentary box, a combination of interests which previous England coaches had thought undesirable. ``I have wanted Ian to be involved with us for some time,'' said Lloyd, who has been keen to use Botham's expertise since taking over as coach last April.
Lloyd is perhaps being a little naive in ignoring the bandwagon which follows Botham even today. The tabloids will ensure that he is kept in the centre of the picture.
Speaking on BBC Radio, Botham said: ``I don't want anything for it, I just want to give something back. If I can help the boys in the nets with a little bit of advice or motivation, I'm only too pleased.
``A lot of games are won and lost in the attitude of the players. We just need to be more positive. If I can help David Lloyd and Mike Atherton, it's a great privilege.''
The idea was vetoed by Ray Illingworth, then chairman of selectors, who never felt that Botham's influence on the players would be beneficial. Illingworth, like Lloyd, called on coaches from his own era, John Edrich and Peter Lever, but Atherton for one believed that the generation gap created difficulties.
England leave for Harare on Nov 25, full of hope if only because Zimbabwe and New Zealand are the only two countries placed below them in The Cricketer's international ratings. The tour is important if the team are to build some confidence and momentum for next summer's series against Australia, which will be the real test of Botham's ability to instil self-belief and to impart technical advice.
In two weeks, #2 million have been taken in ticket sales for next summer's Tests and internationals. Sales at the Oval, Trent Bridge and Edgbaston have been ``astounding'' according to a TCCB spokesman.
Lloyd, speaking at the launch of the 15th edition of the Benson and Hedges Year Book, revealed yesterday that only one type of ball would be used in the Tests next season. ``It'll be the ball our bowlers want,'' he said. He was critical of the ruling this year which allowed the visiting captains to toss with Atherton for the Dukes or Reader ball. Atherton lost the toss in all six Tests.