"I am still here because of the quick thinking of my wife Rachael" - Sir Geoffrey Boycott reflects on his worsening health condition

Former England opening batter Sir Geoffrey Boycott has credited his wife Rachael significantly for keeping him alive after he contracted pneumonia. The retired English cricketer revealed how quick his spouse was to respond and admit him immediately when his condition worsened.

Boycott underwent successful surgery for throat cancer last month, but his condition deteriorated a few days later and he was back in the hospital. Nevertheless, the cricketing fraternity can breathe a sigh of relief as the Englishman seems to be getting better.

In his column for The Telegraph, Boycott wrote:

"I am still here because of the quick thinking of my wife Rachael. She recognised I had taken a turn for the worse in my recovery from surgery for throat cancer."

The 83-year-old recalled how he wasn't able to speak properly during his recovery after surgery and looked awful only to return to the hospital again. He wrote:

"I was recuperating at home from the operation and felt pretty good at first but overnight I became delirious, was not talking properly and looked awful. We had a pulse oximeter at home which she put on my finger and it recorded my blood oxygen level at 35 per cent. That is when she knew there was a major problem and called an ambulance. I was rushed back in, put on oxygen and diagnosed with pneumonia."

The veteran elaborated that his wife has been taking quite good care of him and is completely in charge of his food intake. He further wrote:

"It has knocked the hell out of me and if Rachael had not acted so quickly I am pretty sure I would not have made it through the night. She saved my life, no doubt about that. Rachael is in charge of what goes in three or four times a day and she says I have to be nice to her with no grumpiness. She says I am going to have to practice at being nice!"

Boycott, known for his dogged defense, featured in 108 Tests and 36 ODIs for England from 1964 to 1971. The Yorkshire man mustered 8114 Test runs at 47.72 with 22 centuries.

"Cricket made me feel better but so did the support from family" - Sir Geoffrey Boycott

The veteran went on to thank the messages from worldwide, including some former cricketers:

"The cricket made me feel better but so did the support from family, friends and all over the world. We had messages from Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan. and South Africa. Everywhere. David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, Graham Gooch Andrew Flintoff, Darren Lehman and Geoff Miller - just to name a few - all got in touch. Thank you to them."

The retired cricketer worked for BBC Test Match Special for 14 years.