Johan Botha resigns as Queensland and Brisbane Heat coach
Johan Botha Resigns as Queensland and Brisbane Heat Coach
Queensland and Brisbane Heat have parted ways with coach Johan Botha, despite him having a year to run on both his contracts. Botha’s position had been under scrutiny despite a season where Queensland finished third in both the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup, having made the Shield final in his first year in 2024-25.
Heat had less success in the BBL, finishing fifth and seventh across two seasons with Botha having taken over after they won the title in 2023-24 under previous coach Wade Seccombe. A statement from Queensland Cricket said, “Queensland Cricket has today accepted the resignation of Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls coach Johan Botha.”
Reaction from Queensland Cricket CEO
Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said, “While we haven’t achieved all of our on-field goals in that time, Johan has made a strong contribution towards the development of the next generation of Queensland and Brisbane Heat players. Despite this decision, Johan’s contributions to our high performance group have been valued. We wish he and his family every success in the future and thank him for his efforts across the Sheffield Shield, One Day Cup and BBL competitions.”
Botha, the former South Africa and South Australia offspinner, had been part of sweeping change in Queensland Cricket’s high performance department after Joe Dawes had taken over as high performance manager in late 2023 from Bennett King. But Dawes’ turbulent tenure, which included a public stoush with Queensland and Australia batter Usman Khawaja, ended when he was dismissed from his role earlier this year with King being re-appointed to the role he vacated in late 2023.
Coaching Changes in Australian Cricket
Botha becomes the third BBL and third state coaching change this year after Greg Shipperd was relieved of his dual roles with New South Wales and Sydney Sixers despite also having a year to run on his contract. Brad Haddin has been appointed in the NSW job and James Hopes has taken the Sixers position. Sydney Thunder also parted ways with Trevor Bayliss after five years at the helm and this week appointed former England allrounder Andrew Flintoff as the coach.
Elsewhere, Adam Voges stood down as Western Australia coach after eight years, having won three Shields and four One-Day titles, with assistant Beau Casson to take the reins next year. Voges will remain as Perth Scorchers coach. There remains some uncertainty surrounding the coaching structures at both Melbourne BBL clubs after Cricket Victoria announced they would merge Stars and Renegades under one administration with a view of selling the second franchise license this year.
