Johan Botha, the South Africa allrounder, has been signed by Adelaide Strikers as their last international player for the Big Bash League. The Strikers have also added James Muirhead, an 18-year old legspinner from Victoria, to their spin roster, which includes 39-year old legspinner Bryce McGain.
"We already have two T20 superstars with Kieron Pollard and Alfonso Thomas on the list. Now we have Johan signed up as a very exciting addition to the roster," Chuck Berry, the Strikers coach, said "Boats is a very aggressive and successful T20 player and will add a lot of voice and animation to the group, and that is a very big part of T20 cricket - that's what the fans want to see."
Berry also said Muirhead, who has played for Australia Under-19, was an exciting prospect. "If he is anything like the other blond leggie from St Kilda, we will be very pleased. But I like what I see with him - he's travelled with the Under-19 national team, and continued to impress with the Futures League, so I'm sure he can perform for the Strikers.
"Bryce McGain is also a valuable pick-up for us. He's a very calm head and in the rush of the T20 format that will come in very handy with some of the younger players we have going around this year. He's got a good T20 strike-rate, which is right up there with some other spin bowlers."