Cricket: Auckland lose Myburgh but extra slot now open

Johann Myburgh. Photo / Greg Bowker

Auckland have lost their high-profile domestic cricket signing for next season - and New Zealand have potentially lost a future international batsman.

South African-born Johann Myburgh had switched from Canterbury to Auckland for the coming summer, but a change in his domestic situation has meant he will be living in England.

Myburgh's partner has taken a job working with England's Lawn Tennis Association and the 30-year-old batsman, who has been playing in the Netherlands in the off-season, won't be returning to New Zealand.

He would have been eligible for New Zealand after next February-March's World Cup and his numbers for Canterbury in the last three seasons - with first-class averages of 45.0, 61.58 and 50.53 - would have argued a strong case to the selectors.

But instead he is looking at taking up an opportunity with an English county, scuppering any New Zealand ambitions.

Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade said there were no hard feelings and "life choices sometimes supersede other things. We can understand that".

However, the timing means Auckland have missed out on picking up another of the higher-ranked domestic players.

The flipside is another promising younger player may get a chance to pick up a contract when the final 12 names are revealed, probably next Wednesday.

Auckland are talking to agents about signing a prominent overseas player for the T20 HRV Cup, but want to get their domestic arrangements in order first.

* New Zealand captain Dan Vettori is nominated in five categories for the New Zealand cricket awards. He is among finalists for the Redpath and Winsor Cups for best first-class batsman and bowler respectively; the Walter Hadlee trophies for ODI batting and bowling; and the JR Reid allrounder trophy. Winners will be named at a dinner in Auckland on September 9.