Tug-of-war looming over McKenzie
Source: SundayTimes - LUKE ALFRED -15/12/2002

Highveld Strikers may need a new captain soon and are wooing Northerns star

Neil McKenzie, the SA middle-order batsman, is caught in a tug-of-war between Northerns, his current province, and Gauteng, his former province.

Northerns president Brandon Foot confirmed that McKenzie had been in several discussions with his former province but matters still had some way to go before McKenzie might switch allegiance.

"Neil has asked not to be disturbed until after the current series against Pakistan is over," said Foot. "And he has indicated to us that he is very happy playing at Northerns."

After a disappointing first-class season, the Highveld Strikers are known to be on a recruitment drive. It is believed that McKenzie has been earmarked as a possible replacement captain for the current incumbent, Clive Eksteen, who is nearing the end of his career.

"Neil's contract with Northerns is suspended because he qualifies for a United Cricket Board [UCB] contract," said Foot. "But as far as we're concerned, he still has at least one season of his contract at Northerns left to run."

Foot, who has been in contact with Gauteng's acting chief executive, Alan Kourie, is not opposed to McKenzie talking to his former province, but has emphasised that McKenzie is legally obliged to honour his existing contract with Northerns. At the same time, Foot made it clear that he had not had an opportunity to discuss the McKenzie matter with his board.

Kourie confirmed that Gauteng had been in discussions with McKenzie, but reiterated the point made by Foot that they were reluctant to disturb the player at the moment. McKenzie left the province for Northerns shortly after he had been demoted to the then Transvaal B team.

Ray Jennings, who subsequently went on to become coach of Easterns, was at the time Transvaal coach. It was speculated that all was not well between McKenzie and Jennings.

Gauteng's approach to McKenzie is further complicated by the fact that UCB regulations stipulate that there is only a two-month "window" - between April 15 and June 15 2003 - in which players contracted to other provinces or the UCB can be approached.

McKenzie is not the only SA cricketer keen on exploring the possibility of moving to another province. Several KwaZulu-Natal players, including their captain, Dale Benkenstein, are looking at other avenues, most notably Eastern Province.

Fortunately for Natal, Benkenstein has a benefit season next year and might be reluctant to jeopardise it. At EP itself, there have been rumours about comings and goings for some time, with the name Nantie Hayward being mentioned regularly.