Jackie Botten, former South African, North Eastern Transvaal and Northern Transvaal pace bowler, died on Sunday following complications after colon operations at the age of 77.
A product of Pretoria High School for Boys, Botten played for Northerns during the period 1957/1958 through to the 1971/1972. He made his Test debut in July 1965 and played three Tests for South Africa.
”Jackie has been an honorary member of Northerns Cricket Union since 1993 and it is with much sadness that we learnt of his passing,” said Elise Lombard, CEO of the Northerns Cricket Union.
”His time with Northerns spanned three decades and included the period when he was an honorary member.”
Botten actively participated in the union’s affairs, in particular through a period of significant transformation, to become one of the leading Unions in the country.”
”Jackie was a special bowler and to my mind still, as I told him at Denis Lindsay’s funeral when I last saw him, holds the record for the best domestic season when in 1958/9 he took 63 wickets in a mere 7 Currie Cup matches at an average of 10,53,” said Vince van der Bijl — general manager of Cricket South Africa.
”He was a man of the highest integrity and charm.”
Botten is survived by his four children, Debby, Alan, Jo Anne, Lindsey and eight grandchildren. — Sapa