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Craig HillSouth Africa's Johan Botha An Inspiration
January 11th 2009 09:04
All-rounder Johan Botha had a Test debut many would rather forget. What should have been a career high turned into a nightmare.
Not only did his team lose to Australia in Sydney three years ago but his bowling action was cited by the ICC and he was subsequently banned.
On Sunday, Botha will play his first match in Australia since his baptism of fire.
Testament to the courage and strength he showed while correcting his bowling action - and effectively saving his international career - Botha will return as captain of his country in the absence of the injured Graeme Smith.
A promising international career hit a premature halt in January 2006 when Botha, on Test debut at the SCG, was reported for a suspect bowling action.
Testing at the University of Western Australia showed his arm exceeded the 15-degree bend permitted under ICC laws and he was forced out of the game.
Despite remodelling of his action, he was still unable to bowl within the rules in September 2006.
It was not until two months later that he was cleared by the ICC and October 2007 that he next represented his country.
Far from be haunted by the whole chapter, Botha said it changed his career for the better.
"I think what happened last time, like I always said, it had to happen. And it was probably good for me in the end," he said.
"Cricket strengthened me. Now I've been happy with my bowling in the last year or so."
It was during Botha's fight to save his career when coach Mickey Arthur first saw the player's leadership qualities.
"I think it just shows the work ethic and the amount of hard work and amount of sacrifice that Johan has put into his cricket in the last 18 months," said Arthur, the man who originally encouraged Botha to abandon his pace bowling in favour of spin.
"He's come back a far stronger person after that. Any guy who comes back from something like that has to be really mentally strong."
"I'm really glad that he's stepped up, he's come through all his trials and tribulations and he's come back a much stronger player and he's come back a leader of men which is fantastic to see."
Botha will lead a South African side, in rebuilding phase, in two KFC Twenty20 matches and five Commonwealth Bank one-day internationals against Australia.
Arthur said the Proteas, ranked No.2 in the world in one-day cricket, were already looking ahead to the 2011 World Cup on the subcontinent.
But the Proteas' one-day side, development-wise, was two years behind its Test colleagues.
"We're probably nowhere near the finished article in one-day cricket," Arthur said.
"Obviously our goal in one-day cricket is to be that in two years time when the World Cup comes about."
"I see it as a very exciting phase for us. I see it as an exciting challenge for our younger players."
The Proteas have finalised their XI for Sunday's clash at the MCG, naming five players who were not part of the history-making Test series win earlier this summer.
While Herschelle Gibbs, Botha, Albie Morkel are no strangers to international cricket, paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe and batsman Vaughn can Jaarsveld will be making their debuts for South Africa.
The Australians will select their side on Sunday.
South Africa: Johan Botha (c), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Vaughn can Jaarsveld, Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Dale Steyn
Not only did his team lose to Australia in Sydney three years ago but his bowling action was cited by the ICC and he was subsequently banned.
On Sunday, Botha will play his first match in Australia since his baptism of fire.
Testament to the courage and strength he showed while correcting his bowling action - and effectively saving his international career - Botha will return as captain of his country in the absence of the injured Graeme Smith.
A promising international career hit a premature halt in January 2006 when Botha, on Test debut at the SCG, was reported for a suspect bowling action.
Testing at the University of Western Australia showed his arm exceeded the 15-degree bend permitted under ICC laws and he was forced out of the game.
Despite remodelling of his action, he was still unable to bowl within the rules in September 2006.
It was not until two months later that he was cleared by the ICC and October 2007 that he next represented his country.
Far from be haunted by the whole chapter, Botha said it changed his career for the better.
"I think what happened last time, like I always said, it had to happen. And it was probably good for me in the end," he said.
"Cricket strengthened me. Now I've been happy with my bowling in the last year or so."
It was during Botha's fight to save his career when coach Mickey Arthur first saw the player's leadership qualities.
"I think it just shows the work ethic and the amount of hard work and amount of sacrifice that Johan has put into his cricket in the last 18 months," said Arthur, the man who originally encouraged Botha to abandon his pace bowling in favour of spin.
"He's come back a far stronger person after that. Any guy who comes back from something like that has to be really mentally strong."
"I'm really glad that he's stepped up, he's come through all his trials and tribulations and he's come back a much stronger player and he's come back a leader of men which is fantastic to see."
Botha will lead a South African side, in rebuilding phase, in two KFC Twenty20 matches and five Commonwealth Bank one-day internationals against Australia.
Arthur said the Proteas, ranked No.2 in the world in one-day cricket, were already looking ahead to the 2011 World Cup on the subcontinent.
But the Proteas' one-day side, development-wise, was two years behind its Test colleagues.
"We're probably nowhere near the finished article in one-day cricket," Arthur said.
"Obviously our goal in one-day cricket is to be that in two years time when the World Cup comes about."
"I see it as a very exciting phase for us. I see it as an exciting challenge for our younger players."
The Proteas have finalised their XI for Sunday's clash at the MCG, naming five players who were not part of the history-making Test series win earlier this summer.
While Herschelle Gibbs, Botha, Albie Morkel are no strangers to international cricket, paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe and batsman Vaughn can Jaarsveld will be making their debuts for South Africa.
The Australians will select their side on Sunday.
South Africa: Johan Botha (c), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Vaughn can Jaarsveld, Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Dale Steyn
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Go to Craig Hill's home page for information about corporate training courses, university preparation courses and writing services available
