Michael Klinger has stepped down as South Australia's captain to make way for South African Johan Botha.
Botha, who played for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash last summer, will captain the Redbacks for the next two seasons.
Klinger said the opportunity for Botha, a former South African limited overs and T20 captain, to lead the Redbacks was "too good an opportunity".
"There is no doubt captaining the Redbacks and the Strikers has been a highlight of my cricket career so far," Klinger said on Saturday.
"I have loved every minute of it and am really proud of what I have achieved.
"No one just walks away from captaining.
"But I agreed Johan was too good an opportunity ... I have already rung Johan to offer him my full support and start planning."
South Australia coach Darren Berry praised Klinger for his attitude to the leadership change.
"It is a testament to the character of Michael Klinger that he made a tough decision to make the ultimate act of leadership and support Johan's captaincy," Berry said.
Berry said Botha offered "the complete package" as a leader.
"A ruthless international competitor who has the experience of leading a successful international team," Berry said.
"And he has the know-how to harness our younger talent.
"I unapologetically state that this journey is not for everyone and that it will be tough.
"Our objective is to become the most respected first class system in the country and we need to be strong in our pursuit of this objective."
The Redbacks won this year's one-day competition and also last year's T20 trophy, before the competition was altered to city-based franchises this season.
But South Australia has collected three consecutive Sheffield Shield wooden spoons.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, sa, australia First posted March 31, 2012 12:50:18
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