Henderson turns his back on South Africa

Claude Henderson is turning his back on South Africa and throwing in his lot with English cricket. His appearance for Western Province in this weekend's SuperSport Series final at Newlands will be his last in South Africa.

"I have decided on this course of action because it is clear to me that I have no future role to play at national level when one considers the selections of the national panel," he told reporters. "I will miss South African cricket, but life is about the future.

"I don't see the next step in my cricket future being in South Africa," said Henderson. "I have had a wonderful career here, thanks to Boland and Western Province. I have been very honoured to play for my country and I will never forget it. We [his family] are very excited about this move. It is the next step for us, it is a new challenge. There are a lot of opportunities over there. It is sad to go, but it is exciting as well."

Under European Union employment regulations, Henderson, 31, will be classified as a UK-registered player as long as he doesn't play in or for South Africa. So. by severing all ties with domestic sides there, he made himself a prime target for a number of county sides in England as he would not count as one of their two overseas-registered players. Henderson, who played seven Tests for South Africa, signed a two-year deal with Leicestershire last week.

Arthur Turner, Western Province's chief executive officer, paid tribute to Henderson for the contribution he had made over the last six seasons. He said although he was disappointed that Henderson would no longer be available, he appreciated his feelings of frustration on being continually overlooked in spite of his outstanding performances. Turner added that the public would judge the selection panel on the loss of one of South Africa's cricketing assets in an area where the cupboard was bare.