“Cricket has been part of my life for 19 years,” Johan Botha pens open letter following retirement

Botha wrote an open letter to fans and family after making a surprise retirement from all formats of cricket. Below is the transcript of it.

Hobart Hurricanes allrounder and former South Africa international Johan Botha wrote an open letter to fans and family after making a surprise retirement from all formats of cricket. Below is the transcript of it.

“The end has come… 23/1/2019

Writing down the following will allow me to get through most things, because by talking about it, I will just be an emotional mess.

It is obviously a very emotional moment for me, but I just feel deep down that the time has come for me to move onto the next phase of my career.

Cricket has been a part of my life for 19 years & a dream of mine to play at this level since I can remember.

I have always left everything out there on the field, but at the moment I just feel like it’s time for me to step aside & let the next players come through.

Coming into this current season I had some injury concerns & getting through every game has become harder.

This has given me the final nudge to make this very difficult but important decision, to hang up my boots for good.

Thank you to my amazing wife for always being there for me, there’s so many things we have gone through that no one else will ever know!

To Austin & Ashley, I hope I made you proud & that I was a decent example of how to carry yourself on the world stage.

Then to all the CEO’s, Coaches, Managers, Physios, Fitness Trainers, Doctors, Team Members & Opposition… thank you each and everyone for making these past 19 years something that I will never forget!

Then to my incredible parents, mum Corrie and dad Johan. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.

My sister Heloise and brother Pierre, all my family & friends/supporters, thank you for supporting me throughout the good and the bad times in my career – which in professional sport there are a lot more lows than highs.

I have been so blessed to see so many wonderful places & play on so many amazing grounds around the world and I will forever treasure that!

I have shared the dressing rooms with many greats of this game & competed against some of the greats from around the world.

Then to the Hobart Hurricanes, thank you for making my last season one I will remember forever… I will be your number 1 supporter, keep believing in each other & the game plans that we have implemented & commit to those every single game.

To all the current players, make the most of every single day… not just in competing but also in training, get better at every single opportunity. This goes by so quick, looking back it feels like just the other day when I made my debut at St.Georges Park, Port Elizabeth in Dec 2000 as an 18 year old.

Thank you again to everyone for the unwavering support… love those closest to you because ultimately they will remain when your career comes to an end…

Thank you – God bless!”