Johnson ready to provide the spark to a WP revival

The deal's been signed and sealed and for the next two years, at least, Western Province cricket has placed the not-too-small matter of delivery firmly in the hands of Zimbabwe international Neil Johnson.

But if anyone can help to wipe out the memory of last season's summer of discontent and spark the beginning of a new golden era for cricket in the Western Province, it is the talented allrounder. Johnson, 30, comes with impeccable credentials including a career highlight century at Lords against World champions Australia in the 1999 World Cup. (Another highlight, he says, is Zimbabwe's victory over South Africa in that same tournament.)

Small wonder then that Arthur Turner, the CEO of the WP Cricket Association, was more than willing to put on what appeared to be his spymaster hat to ensure that Johnson came to Cape Town. "Once we ascertained that he was available, we moved quickly, but very secretly," Turner said at a press conference called on Monday to introduce the Zimbabwean to the local media. "Because we had to be extremely careful, we linked other players to Western Province as a sort of smokescreen until we'd settled the deal," Turner said. "We're thrilled that he's signed for us. Western Province can look forward to an exciting season," he predicted.

Johnson acknowledged that he (and former team mate Murray Goodwin who has gone to Australia) might be accused in some quarters of having jumped a sinking Zimbabwe ship. "But the fact is there are problems in Zimbabwe that need to be sorted out. Also, my wife is South African and when I was offered the chance to play in South Africa, I took it," he said. Although Natal, the province he played for before he left for Zimbabwe, and one or two other teams, also showed interest in acquiring his services, he opted for Western Province.

Asked if he considered that his test career was over, Johnson said: "For now, yes. But there may well come a time when I'd want to play international cricket again. There is a World Cup tournament in three years time and who knows what could happen then?" In the meantime, he will divide his time playing for Western Province and possibly for a team in England during the South African off-season. He had talks in that direction while in England recently with Zimbabwe. The last overseas professional to play for Western Province was the West Indian opening batsman, Desmond Haynes. "He was a tremendous success," said Turner, "and I'm sure that Neil will be every bit as successful."

The signing of Johnson, together with Charl Willoughby from Boland and Graeme Smith from Gauteng, will go a long way towards the successful rebuilding of the side following the retirement in the last two seasons of such stalwarts as Eric Simons, John Commins and Craig Matthews.

Johnson's role in the team has not yet been defined. He will sit down at a later stage with joint coaches Eric Simons and Vincent Barnes to discuss how the team will make the best use of his services.

But he is likely to play the same type of role he played for Zimbabwe a quick-scoring opening batsman and a more than useful seam bowler. Whatever it is, though, an in-form Johnson will be vital to Western Province's ambitions (and these are minimum targets, according to Turner) of finishing fourth in the Supersport competition and reaching the semi-finals of the Standard Bank Cup.