Botha blow adds to Ireland injury woes

THE strength in depth of Ireland cricket will be tested over the coming weeks after the announcement yesterday that stalwart all-rounder Andre Botha may have to undergo a second operation on his right ankle.

Botha’s participation in the 2011 World Cup qualifiers is over and with Kyle McCallan also unlikely to play for another week and Trent Johnston nursing a torn left hamstring, Ireland could be without their three most influential players for the Super Eight stage of the tournament.

A visit to a specialist in Pretoria on Wednesday confirmed what Botha already knew — that his ankle was not healing properly — but the North County player was not expecting to be told he had no chance of bowling in the T20 World Cup in June, even if he is fit to bat.