Johnson signs for Western Province

All-rounder Neil Johnson is to cut his ties with Zimbabwe and link up with Western Province during the 2000/2001 season, it was announced on Wednesday.

Johnson moved back across the Limpopo River to Zimbabwe two years ago for a taste of international cricket which looked likely to be denied him if he stayed with Natal. He adapted quickly to the higher level, so much so, in fact, that he played a leading role in Zimbabwe's shock 48-run victory over South Africa in Chelmsford during the 1999 World Cup.

He scored 76 and took three for 27 in that game, scooping up the man of the match award and prompting speculation as whether he might have played in the same match for South Africa had he stayed in Durban.

There is even more irony now that he has decided to quit Zimbabwe in that were he available for South Africa, Johnson would have gone a long way towards filling the gaps left by Hansie Cronje and Herschelle Gibbs in the South African one-day team.

However, although Johnson qualified for South Africa, and, indeed, played for the South African A team before moving back to Harare, his return to Zimbabwe precludes him from becoming eligible again for South Africa for another six years, according to ICC regulations.

Now 30, Johnson will also be regarded as an overseas player for WP for the next two years at least.

An adventurous left-hand bat and tidy right-arm seamer, Johnson scored his maiden and only Test century against Pakistan in Peshawar two years ago. He proved a competent Test player in a weak Zimbabwe team, but was more effective as a one-day player, making four centuries, including two against Australia, in the abbreviated form of the game.

Johnson's return south is understood to be prompted by financial reasons. He was never entirely satisfied with the package offered him by Zimbabwe, and the parlous state of the economy south of the Limpopo together with the rapid fall of the Zimbabwe dollar has persuaded him to seek financial security in Cape Town.

Johnson follows Murray Goodwin in severing his ties with Zimbawe and it bodes ill for one of cricket's youngest and smallest Test-playing countries that they are unable to keep their most talented and experienced players.

Western Province chief executive Arthur Turner said that Johnson suited the required profile for WP as he brought balance to the team as an all-rounder. Turner said that he would add an exciting dimension to WP and ensure that the crowds would return to Newlands support the local team after last season's disappointments.