Former South African cricketer Johan Botha has recently become an Australian citizen, leading many to argue that he should be selected for the Aussies.
Perhaps this would be the easiest solution for Australian cricket to add depth to their lower middle order as well as to get a good spinner on board.
Two targets at one strike. No Nathan Lyon, no Glenn Maxwell, no inconsistency.
After receiving his citizenship Botha announced that now he wants to make an international comeback.
Botha, who last featured for South Africa, in the 2012 T-20 event in Sri Lanka, is hoping to make a comeback, now for the Baggie greens.
Besides being a consistent, economical off-spinner, Botha has excellent captaincy credentials.
He captained South Africa to a 4-1 ODI series win in Australia, back in 2008-09.
While he may be 34, he has featured in every multi-nation event since 2007. He even had a great IPL season with Rajasthan Royals in 2011.
A quintessential limited-overs player, Botha himself said he preferred limited overs cricket, “I’ve always enjoyed the shorter format the most. Going back a bit, three years ago, when Darren Berry [South Australia coach] asked me to go over to South Australia, I really wanted to take that chance. I did not want to sit at home in ten years’ time and think, “I should have done it.” ”
As a regular player for the Sydney Sixers, he still has a two-year contract up his sleeve.
Coming to the Australian line-up, Nathan Lyon may seem to have a batting technique like him, yet Botha is more fluent and efficient.
While Glenn Maxwell is certainly an explosive number 5, yet his bowling is nowhere as consistent or economical as that of Botha’s.
Maxwell’s batting average is a tick over 33 from 67 ODI outings, even lower than South Africa’s ever-inconsistent, J.P Duminy. In T-20s, he is no better with an average under 30.
Players like Maxwell add nothing but hype to a team. A century in Sri Lanka does even hide that.
Australia can definitely get a good all-rounder in Botha at seven (or perhaps at eight), with a specialist, consistent batsman at five.
Adam Zampa might go in as the number one spinner in limited-overs, yet Botha’s all-around abilities (not to forget he is a brilliant fielder) is not something to be taken lightly.
This might be a daring move, but it has high chances of paying off.
A proven player, smart captain, good fielder, this can be Australia’s Kevin Pietersen moment.
davSA
Guest
I don't see a whole lot of diffs between Bothas action and Muralitharins . So ok Muralitharin does have an apparent deformity , so they said, One however is a hero the other a chucker. What about Malinga. Does he really release the ball consistently above the shoulder ?
Don Freo
Guest
Its not the way the rest of us play cricket. It's like allowing a fast bowler to deliver with a ball thrower. Murali's variations were only possible by throwing. Bowlers can't do what he did. He is a nice man though. Botha isn't.
Amrit
Roar Guru
Yet he went on to take 800 wickets. What's the problem if he is cleared to play and can take wickets ?
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
The ICC process is a bit of a joke. It's seen people be tested and shown to be massively chucking on every delivery they bowl, then a month later test them again and pass them and they go back to playing having lost nothing. Sorry, but there's no way that a bowler changes their action to stop chucking in a short period of time and not have lost any effectiveness. It's about working out how to pass the test in laboratory conditions and then go back to what you've always done once you are "cleared". It's basically going to continue to be a bit of a joke until they manage to utilise something like hawkeye technology to actually measure what the arm is doing when they are bowling in real matches.
davSA
Guest
Ha Ha Dave. No its us Saffas who will start calling him a chucker if selected.
Don Freo
Guest
Talking about the real stuff. "Played" is the operative word. He has been off the scene for a while now. He was not picked for SAfrica because he decided to live in Australia in semi retirement. Your suggestion is no different to suggesting Brad Haddin take up the gloves for Australia again. He's here, he's alive and he used to play the game.
Don Freo
Guest
The ICC cleared Murali too. Those decisions are made on the basis of business...not cricket.
Amrit
Roar Guru
He could not get a game, really ? He played 78 ODIs and 40 T-20s when he was called up for his action. The only reason he was not pursued longer was because of the racial quotas to get in 4 black/coloured players in the team. J.P Duminy got the preference as the batting all-rounder, like in any other side- a batting all-rounder like Maxwell.
Amrit
Roar Guru
Really a chucker, may be he was, but not now. He has been cleared by the ICC.
Amrit
Roar Guru
His first class average is over 30. He always came at eight for the Proteas in limited overs, which reduced his chances. For Rajasthan Royals, in 2011, he batted at three and contributed with three successive half centuries. He is a superb all-round player, someone who was looked down because of J.P Duminy and the racial quotas.
dan ced
Guest
While I'm not interested in seeing him in AUS colours, I liked his captaincy for the Redbacks and Strikers, I thought he was a good competitor, frugal bowler, and sometimes useful batsman. I thought SACA screwed him over a bit, but it was the start of many decisions they have made to back their youth, so not necessarily a bad thing in hindsight.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Brett Lee had a beautiful, classical fast bowling action. Don't know where you get at calling him a chucker. I think you'll find Tait isn't close either. He's just one of those guys who's elbow doesn't ever quite get 100% straight but it stays the same through the delivery.
Brett McKay
Expert
Not to mention James, that aside from Botha's List A ave (24.05), he doesn't average better than 20 in ANY limited overs format! And his strike rates are a long way behind Maxwell's, too. Amritangshu, perhaps you could elaborate on just how Botha would "add depth to their lower middle order" as you've suggested, when on the surface, his batting effectiveness is not that far advanced on someone like Ashton Agar?
JamesH
Roar Guru
I'm a bit confused. Are you saying Botha should play tests or limited overs? Because Lyon doesn't really play limited overs so I don't see how Botha would be a replacement for him. I sincerely hope you're not suggesting that Both play tests for Australia. I would pick Lyon, O'Keefe and Holland ahead of him, and perhaps even Agar, Zampa, Boyce or Swepson if we wanted to look long-term. There is no way the selectors will go for someone Botha's age after the recent shakeup. In ODIs I think Zampa is doing a decent job and should be persisted with. No point discarding him for a 34yo. I don't have an issue with Botha playing T20 internationals but then I don't really care about them. He might be a decent pick there if he has a strong BBL, given the leadership and consistency he could offer. Lastly, I don't get why you are comparing Botha to Maxwell. It's like comparing Warner to Mitch Marsh. Different roles. Maxwell is an explosive (if inconsistent) batsman who slots in at no. 5-6 - occasionally higher - and bowls a few handy overs. Botha is a frontline spinner who can bat a bit, but wouldn't come in higher than no. 8. Chalk and cheese.
Don Freo
Guest
We will because he is. Botha couldn't get a game for South Africa and was dumped by South Australia. There is nothing to recommend him. He's an Oz citizen now. Let this ageing man retire and discover the country as a grey nomad. His FC cricket days are over.
AREH
Roar Guru
I could see him playing in an insignificant T20 match or two for Australia And 34; surprised me a little as I seemed to think he was more like 36-7
Cheik Mate
Guest
He's a chucker. And we haven't picked one of those since Tait and Lee retired.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Don't want to see Botha playing for an Australian team. He's still a chucker as far as I'm concerned. Don't know how he's managed to still be playing. I think his action basically was what meant the end for his international career previously, as there tends to be less scrutiny at domestic level he's probably got away with it. But he doesn't look any better than he ever did back when I first saw him playing for South Africa and thought he was one of the most blatant chuckers out there.
Dave Baker
Guest
The amusing part is I bet no-one in Aus calls him a chucker anymore!!
Camo McD
Roar Guru
Geez a little harsh on Maxwell - ave 33 in ODIs and 29 in T20Is are fantastic considering his strike rates of 125 and 167. Reckon Botha's best chance is having a huge BBL and then snaring a one off T20I in a low key series when the test players are unavailable. Would be interesting to see if they made him captain!