Johan Botha Appointed Head Coach of Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls

Former South African all-rounder Johan Botha has been appointed as the new head coach of the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls for the next three years. Botha, 42, was selected after a thorough recruitment process that included Ashley Noffke and Adam Hollioake.

Botha, who became an Australian citizen in 2012, has extensive playing and coaching experience. He represented South Africa in 5 Tests, 78 ODIs, and 40 T20Is, captaining the team in 21 white-ball matches. He also captained South Australia in the Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup for two years.

In the BBL, Botha played 71 matches for the Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Sixers, and Hobart Hurricanes. He retired in 2019 but returned as a fill-in during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Botha's coaching experience includes stints with Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings, and Islamabad United in the PSL, Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL, Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20, and Seattle Orcas in the MLC. He was also an assistant coach with the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL.

Queensland Cricket head of elite cricket Joe Dawes believes Botha's "harder edge" will benefit the Bulls and Heat. Botha expressed excitement about the opportunity, saying, "There is a lot to look forward to for Queensland Cricket."

Botha's appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and a focus on competitiveness to the Queensland and Heat programs. His extensive experience and proven leadership skills will be valuable assets as the teams aim for success in the upcoming seasons.

Tags: #JohanBotha, #BrisbaneHeat, #QueenslandBulls, #HeadCoach, #BBL