We will continue supporting young players: Botha

The South African all rounder Johan Botha has asserted that his team Rajasthan Royals would continue with its policy of supporting young players in the side when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL match in Jaipur on Sunday.

Insisting that there were no plans of shielding Ashok Menaria from quickies like Brett Lee and M De Lange by sending him down the order instead of playing him at number three, Botha said, "Ashok is a talented player and has played few fine innings last year.

"Failing in one innings is immaterial and I am sure he must have reassessed. We will continue the policy of promoting youngsters in side. The likes of Rahane and Menaria would be doing their job at the top and rest are there to contribute in the lower order."

Australian pacer Shaun Tait was not a part of the team for the first match but Botha said that he would be available for selection on Sunday.

"Sreesanth is not well but Shaun Tait is available for selection. He was not there in the scheme of first match but he might be included any time keeping in mind the conditions," explained Botha.

Stating that his team had misread the pitch in the first match, Botha said, "We knew there might be dew and we felt a score of 165 could be chased on that surface. But Rahane came in and did for us. His innings (66-ball 98) was perhaps one of the best in Twenty20."

Botha also heaped praise on Kevon Cooper, who came up with an all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten 11 and four for 26, saying that he might be a massive find for Royals.

"His role is Maro (Hitting) and he did that apart from bowling with guile. He can use long handle and can bowl a lot quicker. He used slower ones but is lot more nippy than he appears. He can be a massive find for Royals," said Botha.

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