Lincoln turf manager Hamilton bound

Karl Johnson, the turf manager who created the cricket pitches at New Zealand Cricket's High Performance Centre, that have seen the world Women's and men's Youth World Cups staged at Lincoln University, has resigned his position to become the turf manager at Hamilton's Stadium and Westpac Park.

Johnson created some of the best pitches in New Zealand and oversaw the spectacular development of Bert Sutcliffe Oval at the HPC. Martin Snedden, the chief executive of NZC, said it was "really sad to lose one of the key people at the HPC. When you compare it with what was there in 1996 it is so much more developed. He has done a terrific job.

"But the philosophy of the HPC is not only the players who we hope to develop but all people in cricket. That is John Reid's view, that just as players are expected to benefit then it is the same with turf managers and Karl has been one of the more highly respected managers in New Zealand.

"It is his ambition to put himself to the ultimate test in charge of Test wickets and it is right to feel that way. He moves on with our blessing and while it provides us with a short-term issue for a new manager, it will be the same for the next person who takes on the job," Snedden said.