Time Has Come for Me to Move on to the Next Phase - Johan Botha Pens Down an Emotional Retirement Letter

Johan Botha, the veteran all-rounder from South Africa, has decided to bid farewell to cricket with immediate effect. Meanwhile, Botha was plying his trade for Hobart Hurricanes in the ongoing Big Bash League but had to cut short his time citing wear and tear on his body and physical fatigue.

The 36-year-old all-rounder shifted his base from Sydney to Hobart at the start of the season. Incidentally, Johan Botha’s last game was also against the Sydney Sixers. However, he didn’t have a happy ending as his side lost the game by nine wickets.

It is an emotional moment for me

An all-rounder, in its purest form, Botha admitted that his time has come to move on to the next phase in a letter released by his BBL franchise Hobart Hurricanes. He also added this sport had been a part of his life for 19 years and it was a dream for him to play this game at the international level.

In addition to, Johan Botha feels this is the right time to step aside and make way for younger players. Johan Botha received his Australian citizenship in 2016.

“It is obviously a very emotional moment for me, but I just feel deep down that the time has come for me to move onto the next phase of my career,” Botha wrote.

“Cricket has been a part of my life for 19 years & a dream of mine to play at this level since I can remember. I have always left everything out there on the field, but at the moment I just feel like it’s time for me to step aside & let the next players come through,” he added.

I had injury concerns

Coming to this season, Johan Botha expressed that he had some injury concerns. However, he feels it’s getting tougher for him with every game which led to this important decision.

“Coming into this current season I had some injury concerns & getting through every game has become harder. This has given me the final nudge to make this very difficult but important decision, to hang up my boots for good,” he added.

In conclusion, Johan Botha thanked everybody associated with him even with him for a single day and made a special mention for his wife and children for standing by his side through thick and thin.

Johan Botha has represented South Africa in five Test matches, 78 ODIs and 40 T20 Internationals from 2005-2012.