South African international Johan Botha has swapped blue for magenta, signing with the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming KFC T20 Big Bash League season.
Botha, 32, has joined the Sixers on a three year deal and will form a three pronged spin attack when both Stephen O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon are available.
He has played for South Africa in all three formats of the game, making his Test debut at the SCG in 2006, and has played 78 ODI’s and 40 T20 Internationals. In the IPL he has played for the Rajasthan Royals and the Dehli Daredevils and he will join the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in this year’s Caribbean Premier League.
Sydney Sixers General Manager Dominic Remond said the signing of Botha added another excellent all-rounder to the squad list.
“Johan will be a fantastic addition to our already strong squad,” said 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.”
In BBL04 Botha had a strike rate of 148 with the bat and best bowling figures of 2/27.
When asked about joining the Sixers Botha said he was very excited.
“It’s (the Sixers) 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,” he said.
On playing at the SCG, Botha said, “It’s 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.”
When asked about bowling alongside Lyon and O’Keefe Botha said, “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.
“Hopefully as a trio we can form a good 12 overs in the 20 overs.”
Botha’s announcement comes a day after the Sixers added Jackson Bird to their BBL05 squad.
