Queensland Bulls coach Johan Botha to miss Sheffield Shield duties after Australian ultra-marathon

New Bulls coach Johan Botha will miss Queensland’s next Sheffield Shield match to chase his own sporting dream - competing for Australia in an ultra-marathon.

Queensland cricket officials have given their blessing to coach Johan Botha to miss the state’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia and instead compete for Australia at an ultra-marathon event in Perth.

Botha, 42, remained in Western Australia following the Bulls’ one-dayer against WA on Sunday to prepare to run in the Backyard Ultra World Satellite Championships beginning on Saturday.

It means the former South African and South Australian captain will miss Queensland’s Shield clash with his former state that starts in Brisbane on Sunday.

Wade Townsend will serve as coach in Botha’s absence.

It’s believed Queensland Cricket was aware of Botha’s desire to compete in the event when he signed as coach of the Bulls and Big Bash League side Brisbane Heat in May, with Botha keen to be involved in the championship.

The ex-Proteas tweaker, a naturalised Australian, is an avid ultra-marathon runner.

Botha with his Queensland team at the WACA Ground this season. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The backyard ultra format involves athletes needing to run 6.706 kilometres on the hour consecutively until there is only one competitor standing.

The Bulls drew their opening Shield match against WA but are winless through three one-dayers thus far in 2024-25, one of which was washed out.

Botha took over after the resignation of Wade Seccombe following a dismal state season in which Queensland finished bottom of the Shield and fifth in the one-day cup.

Opener Matt Renshaw said last month that Botha had participated in many of the Bulls fitness drills during pre-season.

“He’s been really good. Keeping everything nice and simple and just get backing all of us to trust our games. We’ve all played a lot of cricket now, so guiding those youngsters as well,” Renshaw said.

“It’s been a bit of running in this pre-season, which has been he’s been involved in most of it, which has been sort of strange to lose to your coach in a running race. But when he does what he does, it’s fine, but he’s been great, and the support staff have been great as well.”

Originally published as Queensland Bulls coach Johan Botha to miss Sheffield Shield duties after Australian ultra-marathon