Andre Botha quits Irish national side – Cricket News
South African all-rounder, Andre Botha of Team Ireland has announced his retirement from international cricket, hitting the already tumbling Irish side a severe blow.
Botha had been off-field during most of the matches due to his injury in recent times. The Irish cricket managers and the international cricket experts term Botha’s retirement as a great loss to the game of an associate nation. Botha will now pursue his
career in county cricket.
Andre considers his injury problems as a dominant factor behind his retirement. Talking to the media here yesterday night, the legend said, “It is a matter I have not taken lightly, but sometimes your body makes up your mind for you.”
The 35-year-old Botha could participate in only nine out of 28 games that his side played. During Ireland’s lacklustre ICC World Cup 2011 campaign, he played only two group games. His constant injury and illness forced him out of the field.
Botha was the second oldest player in Team http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751 after Trent Johnston. He was one of several overseas cricketers who constitute the Irish side.
Starting his international career in 2006, Botha played 141 games and brought home many iconic titles and glories. His left-hand batting and right-arm medium fast bowling, Botha remained instrumental in most of his side’s successes at the international level.
In his post-retirement statements, Botha praised the Irish coach, Phil Simmons and said, “I would like to thank the current coach, Phil Simmons, for his support and help over the last number of years and assistant coach Pete Johnston for all his hard work.”
Previous Irish coach, Adi Birrell spoke some words of tribute for Botha. He said, “I had the great good fortune that Andre had completed his qualification terms when I arrived and he became one of the major players around whom I built the team during my
tenure.”
Botha is now looking for a county club in order to earn his bread and butter. He had already left North County. However, he is likely to join Terenure.
Though there can be no perfect substitute for Botha, former Kiwi Test player and current http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hamish-Marshall-c1525 will try to compensate the loss of the legend.
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