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Cape Town - Former Protea all-rounder Johan Botha said he’ll be keen to play for the Australian national team, now that he is recognised as a local player.
Botha received his Australian citizenship in late November after moving from South Africa four years ago, and currently captains the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.
The 34-year-old still believes he has what it takes to play at the highest level, despite playing his last international ODI for the Proteas in 2012.
"I’m more than happy to play international cricket and I have missed it a lot, especially in the last year," Botha told the Fox Sports website.
"I still want to challenge myself against the best. I’m keen to play."
“They will say I’m too old but I still feel that in the shorter form I can play another two, three or four years,” he said.
Botha shrugged off the idea of competing against his former nationality as odd - if he happens to don the Baggy Green in the future.
"It would be a great challenge," said Botha.
"KP (Kevin Pietersen) and Jonathon Trott have done it. When I walk onto the field it’s all about winning. You just want to compete and win for the team that you’re playing for. That’s what I’ve always done."
"I wouldn’t find it weird," he said.
If Botha is selected for the Australian team, he will be the second South African (along with Kepler Wessels) to represent South Africa and Australia in top-level international cricket.
Botha played for the Proteas in 5 Test matches, 78 ODIs and 40 T20 Internationals from 2005-2012.
