The former Proteas skipper says he has hopes of representing Australia after being granted citizenship last month
Naturalised Botha eyes 'unbelievable' dream
South African-born allrounder Johan Botha says it would be “unbelievable” to represent his adopted country after becoming an Australian citizen in November.
Botha was born in Johannesburg but has spent the past four years in Australia playing for South Australia, Adelaide Strikers and his current side, Sydney Sixers.
The 34-year last played for South Africa in October 2012, and after putting in a man-of-the-match performance for the Sixers in Tuesday night’s six-wicket win over Perth Scorchers, national selection could be just around the corner.
Quick Single: Steady Sixers cruise after Perth collapse
“It would be unbelievable,” Botha said when asked what it would mean to represent Australia at the highest level.
“It’s a team I’ve watched for a long time, especially growing up when South Africa didn’t play international cricket.
“Australia was my favourite team to watch. To do that I think it would feel a little bit unreal but we’ll have to wait and see.
“I suppose there might be a chance, a very slim chance and as long as there’s that there’s a little chance.
“But it’s up to Cricket Australia.
“I just need to hopefully help the Sixers win some games and if it comes my way, great, if it doesn’t then I’m going to give the Sixers everything I’ve got, hopefully put a good tournament together an few more performances like this.”
While the KFC T20 International series against Sri Lanka at summer’s end is the likeliest opportunity for Botha to don the green and gold, national selector Mark Waugh hasn’t ruled out the right-arm off-spinner travelling to the subcontinent for the four-Test series against India.
“I'd say he's an unusual off-spinner,” Waugh said on Channel Ten Sport on Tuesday.
“He's not the sort of guy who gets drift away, he'll more angle it in to the right-hander.
“So he's obviously got a different sort of release and a different grip. A little bit unusual.
“Tell you what, he wouldn't be the worst in India would he?”
Quick Single: Punter wants Maxi picked for India
Botha played five Tests for the Proteas from 2006 to 2010, with three matches played in Asia against Pakistan (two Tests) and Bangladesh (one) for a record of eight wickets at 46 and a strike rate of 82.6.
His unusual action, solid ability with the bat and sublime skills in the field make him an enterprising limited-overs player, to the point where he’s played 78 ODIs and 40 T20Is for South Africa.
If Botha did earn selection for Australia he would become just the 27th player to represent two nations in one of the cricket’s three formats and follow in the footsteps in one of his childhood idols.
Former South Africa batsman Kepler Wessels was the last player to represent two countries at Test level after he retired from representing Australia in 1985 before returning to captain the Proteas once apartheid was lifted in 1991.
Wessels played 24 Tests for Australia and 16 for South Africa until he finally left the game as a player in 1994 when Botha was just 12 years old.
Quick Single: Thunder must learn from errors: Watson
“Kepler was my coach for three or four years,” Botha, who captained the Proteas 21 times in limited-overs formats, said.
“Growing up he was always one of the guys we always looked at.
“He took South Africa into international cricket in ’92.
“I’ve had a lot to do with Kepler, a lot of respect for him, and he’s influenced my career hugely.”