Pivotal player nearly benched pre-match

Hurricanes recruit Johan Botha proved his worth in Saturday’s BBL match against the Heat, despite a crippling injury.

Johan Botha of the Hurricanes breaks his bat as he plays a shot during the Big Bash League (BBL) match between the Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast. Picture: AAP IMAGE/DAVE HUNT

EXPERIENCED Hurricanes recruit Johan Botha has revealed he was racing the clock to be fit for his new side’s first Big Bash clash of the summer due to a bulging disk in his back.

The former South African skipper played a pivotal role in Hobart’s narrow 15-run victory against Brisbane on the Gold Coast last night, capturing 2-30 from his four overs to stem the flow of runs after the Heat bolted from the blocks in their pursuit of 160.

Botha, 36, was introduced into the attack in the fifth over – the last of the powerplay – and removed Max Bryant (30 from 15 balls) courtesy of a brilliant catch by Riley Meredith at short fine leg.

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Bryant had earlier dispatched fellow spinner Clive Rose’s first over for 18 in a whirlwind display of straight hitting.

In his next over Botha had Joe Burns caught at long on, with his wickets crucial to the Hurricanes pegging back the run rate after the home side’s explosive start.

Botha had his right calf heavily iced post play, but revealed an on-going back problem had him in doubt to not only take his place in the final XI, but also at one point potentially cost him his entire tournament.

“The past few weeks now I have had a bulging disk in my back, it’s been tight to make this one,” said Botha, who joined the Hurricanes from the Sydney Sixers, having previously played with Adelaide.

Johan Botha of the Hurricanes celebrates a wicket during the Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes Big Bash League Match at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast. Picture: CHRIS HYDE/GETTY IMAGES

“I have had to put in some hard work to get to [the] game. Thursday afternoon against Auckland didn’t feel too great, happy to get to game one.

“At times in the past two months it definitely looked like I wasn’t going to start and the guys starting talking about replacements.

“Luckily the work put in in the past six weeks has helped to get to this.”

With the Hurricanes not re-signing leg spinner Cameron Boyce, Botha proved he will be a vital cog in the Hurricanes’ attack with his ability to mix his pace and tie down a batsman.

He said talks to join his third BBL franchise began with former coach Gary Kirsten, with the transition into the squad almost seamless.

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“I think I would have gone another year with the Sixers at least but the Hurricanes came in and [offered] two years so I am happy with that.

“The talk started when Gary was still at the Hurricanes but ‘Griff’ has done a really good job, the guys have played together so much as Tasmanian Tigers.

“I have enjoyed my 10 days so far, even before that with the Hurricanes academy in Abu Dhabi and we had a trip to Sydney in early November, it has felt like I’ve been part of the club for a few months now.”