Johan Botha eligible for Australian team selection

After fulfilling the requirements to become a neutralized Australian citizen, Johan Botha has now seemingly set his sights on getting a call-up to the national side in the near future. After the 2012 edition of the World T20, Botha’s run in the side became rather scarce, something that prompted him to make the move to Australia to play in their domestic framework.

However, in recent times, Botha has impressed with both bat and ball for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, something that also saw him pick up the man of the match award in their most recent match. With 26 players having already switched their allegiance previously, Botha will be hoping to become number 27.

“It would be unbelievable,” Botha told reporters on Tuesday night. “(Australia) is a team that I’ve watched for a long time. Especially growing up when South Africa didn’t play international cricket, Australia was my favorite team to watch.

Botha also agreed that he was a bit too old and that it would be a rather unrealistic goal. “So to do that, I think it’ll feel a little bit unreal. But we’ll have to wait and see.”

“I suppose you might be a chance, a very slim chance. As long as there’s that,” Botha said this week. “But it’s up to Cricket Australia. I just need to hopefully help the Sixers win some games and if it comes my way, then great.”

“They will say I’m too old but I still feel that in the shorter form I can play another two, three or four years,” he said.

However, Botha also was unwilling to be tied down, stating that he could join up with a side lacking decent spinning options. “There might be a little gap in the shortest form. Glenn Maxwell is a top order batsman who gives you some spin. I suppose someone at 7 or 8 who can bowl some spin could also be handy.”