Hurricanes sign former South African international to fix spin riddle

THE Hobart Hurricanes believe they have solved their second spinning option with the signing of a former South African international.

Johan Botha during the BBL game between the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder at the SCG. Picture: JONATHAN NG

THE Hobart Hurricanes believe they have solved their second spinning option with the signing of former South African international Johan Botha.

In a replacement for leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, who has signed with the Melbourne Renegades, it is understood Botha has agreed to a two-year deal with the Hurricanes after previous stints with the Adelaide Strikers and the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.

Botha, 36, has been a white-ball specialist and has played in Twenty20 competitions around the world with his accurate right-arm off-spinners, lower order batting and agile fielding.

He will provide balance and partner left-arm spinner Clive Rose.

Though he has played five Tests, 78 one-dayers and 40 T20 internationals for South Africa, Botha is not classed as an import having become a naturalised Australian during his stint captaining South Australia.

When contacted on Friday, Cricket Tasmania chief executive Nick Cummins would neither confirm nor deny Botha’s signing, stating the full list would be revealed in the near future.

It will give the Hurricanes plenty of options with Jofra Archer and a hopefully fit and in-form Tymal Mills to provide the pace, Tom Rogers and James Faulkner the all-round options, and Rose and Botha the spin twins, with middle-order batter Simon Milenko also capable of sending down an over or two.