Ex-Proteas star becomes Oz citizen

Cape Town - Former Proteas all-rounder Johan Botha is now officially an Australian citizen, after moving from South Africa four years ago.

Botha, 34, captained the Proteas in 10 ODIs and took the team to the No 1 ranking after they defeated Australia 4-1 away in 2009. He also captained the Proteas in 11 T20s, taking over from Graeme Smith.

He played his last ODI for his country in 2011 and has been captain of state side South Australia since 2012.

In March 2012, Botha requested Cricket South Africa to release him from his contract after he conceded the T20 captaincy to AB de Villiers.

The BBL franchise Sydney Sixers confirmed on Wednesday that Botha will now be classified as a local player and received his citizenship.

"It’s been a bit of a process but very happy to finally get it over the line," Botha told the Sydney Sixers' official website.

"I think when we came over four years ago this wasn’t our main intention or main plan, but as time has gone on everyone has just settled really well and I suppose this was just the next step for us as a family and for our future."

Botha played for South Africa in all three formats of the game, making his Test debut at the SCG in 2006, and played 78 ODIs and 40 T20 Internationals.

Congrats to @SixersBBL @johan_botha now an Aussie citizen @BBL . Thanks @DIBPAustralia #smashemsixers pic.twitter.com/Q4H6RSx5dx

— Dom Remond (@dremond) November 23, 2016