Johan Botha – Special Guest On The Cricket Library Podcast

South Africa’s Johan Botha celebrates the wicket of England’s Ian Bell during the Third One Day International at The Brit Oval, London. PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Johan Botha is a cricketing journeyman who came through the ranks in South Africa representing his country in 5 Tests, 78 ODIs and 40 T20 Internationals.

The short format specialist, has plied his craft in franchise cricket around the world with stints in the IPL, BBL and CPL.

In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast we will learn of where his passion for the game began, playing for South Africa in the u-19s World Cup, breaking into the South African ODI & Test teams, overcoming setbacks to return to the team and lead South Africa to a ODI Series win in Australia in 2009.

Johan also shares about his passion for long distance running and gives us an exclusive scoop into something he is training for at the moment.

Needless to say, he will select three people he would most like to have a net with and his selections are an interesting mix.

Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a review to help us to continue to share stories like this one from Johan Botha.

Johan Botha Career Stats

CompetitionTestODIT20IFC
Matches5784090
Runs scored836092014,015
Batting average20.7519.0318.2731.61
100s/50s0/00/00/01/27
Top score254634109
Balls bowled1,0173,82377414,656
Wickets177237220
Bowling average33.7040.5022.2432.28
5 wickets in innings0007
10 wickets in match0001
Best bowling4/564/193/166/34
Catches/stumpings3/–36/–17/–63/–

Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game The Cricket Library

Former West Indies opening batter, Adrian Griffith joins the Cricket Library Podcast for a fascinating and deeply reflective conversation about cricket, identity, purpose, and life beyond the game. Growing up in Barbados, Adrian rose through Caribbean cricket to become an opening batter for the West Indies cricket team during one of the most compelling eras in world cricket. He shares stories from his early journey into first-class cricket, touring Australia, facing elite fast bowling, and the pressures that come with representing the maroon cap at the highest level. One of the highlights of the episode is Adrian reflecting on his remarkable Test match against New Zealand, where he became the first West Indian cricketer to bat on all five days of a Test match — a rare and unique achievement in cricket history. Adrian also revisits the unforgettable Test against Australia where Brian Lara produced one of the greatest innings the game has ever seen, offering incredible insight into Lara’s brilliance and the atmosphere surrounding that iconic moment in cricket and the story behind his selection in the team. Beyond the playing field, Adrian discusses his transition into officiating as an ICC match referee and his current work with AGC, where he continues contributing to leadership, mentoring, and the development of people within and beyond cricket. While the conversation celebrates Test cricket, West Indies history, and unforgettable moments, it also explores a deeper theme — that achievements on the field do not fully define a person’s worth. Adrian shares thoughtful reflections on transition, identity, leadership, and building a meaningful life beyond cricket. Topics include: • The significance of the Maroon West Indies Cricket Cap • Touring Australia • Batting on all five days of a Test match • Test cricket pressures • Caribbean cricket culture • ICC match refereeing • Leadership and mentoring • AGC and life after cricket • Purpose and identity beyond sport If you love cricket history, long-form conversations, and powerful human stories from inside the game, this episode is for you.
  1. Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game
  2. Babette de Leede – World Cup & Global Cricket Journey
  3. Paul Harris – The Journey of a Proteas Spinner
  4. Paul Van Meekeren – Associate Cricket To World Stage
  5. Ken Piesse – A Life In Cricket Writing

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.