FORMER South African limited-overs captain Johan Botha is keen to use his recently granted Australian citizenship as a springboard into the national team.

That is, the Aussie national team.

The Sydney Sixers off-spinner is now eligible to play for Australia, just four years and one month since he last represented the Proteas in an international fixture.

The 34-year-old has a BBL deal for another two seasons, but will now be listed as a local player, which will free up space for the franchise to bring in international talent.

Botha believes he still has what it takes to play a role at the highest level in limited-overs cricket, and would happily pull on the green and gold shirt if called upon.

“I’m more than happy to play international cricket and I have missed it a lot, especially in the last year,” Botha told foxsports.com.au.

“I still want to challenge myself against the best. I’m keen to play.”

Johan Botha. Picture: Jonathan Ng Source: News Corp Australia

How and when Botha fits in to Steve Smith’s national set-up is another issue.

A spin bowling all-rounder and more than handy fieldsman, the current Darren Lehmann Academy and St Peter’s College specialist coach has his eye on a T20 spot during February’s three-match series against Sri Lanka.

“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.

“There might be a little gap in the shortest form. Glenn Maxwell is a top order batsman who gives you some spin. I suppose someone at 7 or 8 who can bowl some spin could also be handy.”

Botha captained South Africa in 10 ODIs and 11 T20Is between 2008 and 2012 but has spent the last four years in South Australia with his young family.

He initially moved over to captain the Redbacks under the tutelage of Darren Berry on a two-year deal with an option for a third season.

He no longer has a state contract, but has not given up hope of winning one at a rival state now that he’s considered an Australian player.

However he conceded a return to the Adelaide Oval appears unlikely.

“I’m not sure about the Redbacks,” he said.

“Their way at the moment is just youth and as young as possible. There are probably guys who are 27 or 28 in the SACA system who may not get a look-in again. I can’t see them looking at 30-plus players.

“I’d love to play Matador Cup though (for another state).

“Just to be around a professional squad for some part of the year would be terrific.”

Johan Botha and JP Duminy. Source: News Limited

Botha would be content being a role player rather than a frontline option if it meant he could return to one-day domestic cricket.

“I understand that if I go to a state and I’m the second spinner, I don’t expect to play all the games and I’m fine with that,” he said.

“I’d love to be around a squad that hopefully wants to do really well and can add value. I’m not going to go in and think ‘I’m the man now’ and I said that to Chuck (Darren Berry) when I came over to play for South Australia.

“If I play three or four games out of eight, I’m fine with that. I don’t walk in there and just expect to play every game. That’s the way to look at it.

“Now that I am a citizen, the cricket becomes more of a part again. If anyone is interested and wants to take maybe a little bit of a risk, then I’m keen.”

When quizzed on how he would approach a potential match-up against the South African team he once skippered, Botha was nonplussed.

“I wouldn’t find it weird, I wouldn’t say,” he said.

“It would be a great challenge. 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.

“You just need to put your best foot forward.”

Botha played for Mosman Cricket Club in Sydney’s grade competition at the weekend. He took a hat-trick, finished with 5-12 and made a 45-ball 102 to guide his side to victory.

The Sixers take on the Thunder in the first game of BBL|06 on December 20 at Spotless Stadium in Sydney.

Johan Botha in 2006. Source: Supplied

Cricketers who have played limited overs cricket for two countries:

Ed Joyce (England/Ireland)

Luke Ronchi (Australia/New Zealand)

Dirk Nannes (Netherlands/Australia)

Boyd Rankin (Ireland/England)

Roelof van der Merwe (South Africa/Netherlands)

Kepler Wessells (Australia/South Africa)

Clayton Lambert (West Indies/USA)

Anderson Cummins (West Indies/Canada)

Dougie Brown (England/Scotland)

Geraint Jones (England/PNG)

Eoin Morgan (Ireland/England)

Michael Di Venuto (Italy/Australia)

Tom Morris is on Twitter: @tommorris32