Sir Ian, 52, was awarded the accolade at Leeds Metropolitan University, just a mile from the Headingley ground where he produced one of the most talked-about innings in cricket history 27 years ago.

His 149 not out against Australia turned the tide of the 1981 Test series and set up what was to become known as Botham's Ashes.

Introducing the sportsman at the ceremony, British Lions rugby coach Ian McGeechan described the 1981 Test series as "the most inspiring and decisive performance from a team in this, or in any other Test cricket".

He said: "It was the ultimate in never-say-die and probably the greatest turnaround in English cricketing history."

Mr McGeechan also praised Sir Ian for his charity fundraising walks, which have so far raised more than £5m for Leukaemia Research.

Accepting the honorary doctorate of sports science, Sir Ian, wearing a deep red robe with a blue and yellow hood and a black hat, told the 1,700-strong audience about his charity work, which began in the mid-1980s with a fundraising walk from John O'Groats to Land's End.