Brief profile of Ant Botha by Matthew Reed

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Player:

AG Botha

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DateLine: 15th October 2005

 

Before joining Derbyshire in 2004, Ant Botha had a significant career in South African domestic cricket, and twice representing the South African Academy as a 20 year old. However, Botha’s all rounder status has been a boon and a curse, as through his career he has been shunted from no.3 to no.9 in the batting order as his bowling assumed more or less significance. The best example of Botha’s ability with the bat came late in the 2005 season, when his 158 against Yorkshire (batting at 8) was a wonderful mixture of the stubborn and the swashbuckling, and turned certain defeat into a rare chance of victory for England’s most beleaguered county. This prompted a realisation from both Botha himself and Derbyshire coach David Houghton that a truer position in the order for him would be no.4 or no.5. Botha’s left arm spin can be used as both an attacking and a defensive weapon, and he is capable of taking wickets on unfriendly pitches. His stroke play and economical bowling have also make him a very effective Twenty/20 player. However, with the ECB’s decision to levy fines on counties for fielding players not qualified for England, it may well be that Botha’s future appearences for cash strapped Derbyshire may be limited.

 

(October 2005)

(Article: Copyright © 2005 Matthew Reed)