Johan Botha Happy With His New Role in Team

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 at 12:56 pm , filed under News by Chalmers Dugan

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The Proteas off spinner Johan Botha said that, he was enjoying his new role of opening bowler in the ICC World Cup 2011. He is hoping for the same result in the quarter final match.

South Africa will play against New Zealand in the third match of the quarter finals on 25th March, 2011 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. South Africa skipper might have some questions to answers if Botha hasn’t been succeeded with the new ball. Graeme Smith chooses to open bowling Johan Botha instead of pacers like Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, in their group match with West Indies and the gamble paid off as he got rid of dangerous Chris Gayle.

Johan Botha has not played initial matches of Proteas as Imran Tahir was preferred as a surprise package to all the teams. He was into the team for India match in Group B as Imran Tahir was injured his finger and rested. Johan Botha is used as an opening bowler in the last two group matches and he was not only successful in containing the flow of runs but also provided the early break throughs to the team.

Johan Botha has said that his role is to control the scoring rate as his fellow quickies and spinners are picking up the wickets. They have three spinners in the team and they all different from one another, Botha bowls off spin, Tahir with leggie and Petersen bowls left arm off spin. He also added that their bowling attack contains of world class pacers of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

South Africa team has topped Group B with 10 points and losing only game against England. South Africa will face New Zealand in the knock out stage of ICC World Cup 2011, Kiwis finished at the bottom of Group A. As per the schedule, the top team from one group will face the team that finished last in other group. Spinners are the leading wicket takers for Proteas, Robin Petersen is the leading wicket taker for South Africa with 14 wickets followed by Imran Tahir with 12 and Dale Steyn with 10 wickets.
"Johan Botha"