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Botha joins Sixers to complete SA exit

South African allrounder moves east for BBL|05 after four seasons with Adelaide Strikers

Johan Botha's departure from South Australian cricket is all but complete after the off-spinning allrounder signed with Sydney Sixers for the next three Big Bash League seasons.

It was announced last month that Botha would stand down as captain of the West End Redbacks and be replaced by young batsman Travis Head.

The South African said at the time he would continue to make himself available for the Redbacks this season – but has not been selected – and hoped to continue to play with Adelaide Strikers, but it was confirmed today that the 32-year-old would move east for BBL|05.

The Strikers had tabled a two-year contract, but Botha opted to take up a three-year deal with the BBL|04 finalists.

The announcement came on the same day Strikers and Redbacks coach Darren Berry returned to work after taking time away for personal reasons.

Botha was one of Adelaide's better performed players in BBL|04 as the Strikers lost just one match from eight before the finals to finish top of the ladder. 

They were knocked out in the semi-final stage, ironically by the Sixers, who registered an upset win in front of a sell-out crowd at Adelaide Oval.

Botha finished the competition with seven wickets at 26 and also hit 117 runs in the middle order at a strike rate of 148. 

It continued Botha's impressive development as a batsman; he'd averaged 53.50 with the bat in the Matador Cup in October and averaged 29 in the Bupa Sheffield Shield this season.

"Johan will be a fantastic addition to our already strong squad," said Sydney Sixers General Manager Dominic Remond.

"He is a great competitor with an abundance of international experience and one of the most miserly bowlers in the BBL.

"His lower order hitting will add another dimension to our batting and help with our ambitions to go one step better in BBL05."

On Monday, the Sixers confirmed the signing of Test fast-bowler Jackson Bird on a three-year deal from Melbourne Stars.

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Botha adds to the Sixers' already impressive spin stocks, headlined by Test spinner Nathan Lyon and left-armer Steve O'Keefe.

"Nathan’s a world class spinner, he’s done so well in the last few years and Steve O’Keefe, he’s been one of the most consistent bowlers in Australian cricket," Botha said.

"Hopefully as a trio we can form a good 12 overs in the 20 overs.

"(The Sixers are) one of the most consistent teams in BBL cricket so just from that point of view I’m really looking forward to it, and also you have a real classy line up here and I’m looking forward to joining the guys.

"(The SCG) definitely one of my favourite grounds in Australia.

"When we came over on tours from South Africa it’s been an excellent ground for me, I’ve enjoyed played there and just looking forward to being one of the local boys."