NETHERFIELD, of the Northern League, have beaten Leicestershire for the services of Natal all-rounder Neil Johnson.
The county champions announced earlier this week that Johnson would replace West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons as their overseas player for this season.
Johnson had already signed a contract to play for Netherfield, however, and Leicestershire's original offer of compensation fell way below the club's asking price.
David Otway, the Netherfield captain, said: ``I have spoken to Neil and while he believed Leicester would be prepared to meet our demands, he accepts the situation. He is playing in a one-day final in South Africa this weekend and will join Netherfield next week.''
Leicestershire could sign Simmons again, even though he would not be available until the end of May.
Ottis Gibson, the West Indies all-rounder who left Glamorgan last season, will play league cricket for Pembrokeshire side Lamphey this summer.
Arjuna Ranatunga has been retained as Sri Lanka captain for the tour to West Indies in June.
BEN JOHNSON displays realism rather than lack of ambition when he concedes his second season as a Lancashire League professional is unlikely to match his first, writes Andrew Collomosse.
Last year the South Australian all-rounder exceeded even his wildest dreams by setting a batting record in the league that has, during its 105-year history, featured so many of the game's batting legends. Johnson scored 1,718 runs, surpassing his compatriot Peter Sleep's 1991 record by 97, and in the process compiled a record eight centuries and 18 fifties.
Johnson also claimed 62 wickets and thanks to his all-round excellence Colne, after years in the doldrums, finished the season in fifth place. Their professional is looking for a further improvement in 1997 as Colne prepare for this weekend's games against champions Rishton and Accrington.
``Realistically I cannot expect to do as well as last year,'' admits the man whose batting prowess has already attracted more than a passing interest from Yorkshire. ``But I believe the team has the potential to finish even higher. We have some good young players.''