Botha succeeds Smith as S.Africa T20 captain

Spinner Johan Botha was named South Africa Twenty20 captain Saturday after Graeme Smith stood down this week.

“Botha was the unanimous choice and we have every confidence that he will do an excellent job leading up to the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Cup,” said Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola.

Selection convenor and former star Test batsman Andrew Hudson added: “Johan has an excellent record as a leader and proved an inspirational captain when he stood in for Graeme during a ODI series victory in Australia last year.”

Botha welcomed the challenge: “I really enjoyed the captaincy when I stood in for Graeme, am proud to be offered the job, and I’m looking forward to working with such a special team.” Believing he has too many responsibilities, Smith will step down as ODI skipper after the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent but plans to continue captaining the ‘Proteas’ Test team.

JOHANNESBURG, Sunday, AFP