FORMER South African captain and all-rounder Johan Botha will face the same mountainous expectation that every other Guyana Amazon Warriors coach has when he takes over as the local franchise head coach, for the sixth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

In Botha’s case the pressure will be even greater, given that the franchise owner has for the first time announced a foreign coach. Botha replaced Roger Harper, who has coached the Warriors for four seasons.

Harper, a former West Indies player, coached the Warriors for the first two editions, until he was replaced in 2015 by fellow Guyanese Carl Hooper. In 2016, he was reunited with the team.

The 36-year-old Botha, who will arrive in the country prior to the team’s encampment from August 2, can at least have his workload somewhat relaxed, since he will coach a squad, which is a well balanced unit.

Botha was a part of Islamabad United’s support staff as fielding coach in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and as recent as January 2018, he played for the Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Big Bash T20 League, so there is definitely a new thinking that he will bring to the Warriors unit.

While the change can be seen as welcome news for fans, seasoned left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul is anxious to see what the new coach will bring to the table.
“I never worked with coach Botha (Johan). I don’t know anything about his coaching style.

I only know him as a player by looking at him playing and captaining South Africa. He plays cricket at the highest level, and I know for sure he has good cricketing knowledge. I am anxious to see what he brings to the table,” Permaul told Chronicle Sport yesterday.
Meanwhile, Permaul pointed out that as a Warriors player from the inception, he is overjoyed that matches will eventually be staged at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Guyana is set to host five games; St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on August 9, St Lucia Stars on August 11, Barbados Tridents on August 12, Jamaica Tallawahs on September 8 and Trinbago Knight Riders on September 9.
However, it was also announced that there is a possibility of two playoff matches here, on September 11 and 12.

“It is always a privilege to play at home. I know it is also a big relief for fans. Home games are always important because every team will know and want to utilise their home advantage.

“Over the years we did well playing at home and this year it is five home games, so we will be looking to win as many as possible. Home support is always a big factor for our team. Seeing the fan come out in large numbers and support us always drives us as players, to go out and give them what they come to see,” Permaul concluded.

Meanwhile, Chronicle Sport was reliably informed that Guyana Jaguars assistant coach/manager Rayon Griffith will replace Esaun Crandon, as assistant coach of the Warriors.

This year’s showpiece will bowl off on August 8 and conclude on September 16. The Amazon Warriors have made it to three finals to date but are yet to lift the title. They finished third on the other three occasions.