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The prodigal son returns to centrestage

Neil Johnson was delighted to become the first Zimbabwean to score a century at Lord's, but said it was a "downer'' as Zimbabwe lost the World Cup Super Six match to Australia.

The hallowed turf at the game's headquarters spurred the 29-year-old left-handed batsman, whose strokeful century highlighted what South Africa had missed by allowing Zimbabwe's prodigal son to return home.

Johnson, who returned to Zimbabwe, the country of his birth last year after failing to impress the South African selectors, complimented his mentor, former Test cricketer Kepler Wessels.

In his rare moment in the spotlight, Johnson lauded Wessels's contribution in shaping his first-class career.

"I'd say, Kepler (Wessels) is one of my big mentors,'' he said. "He started me in first-class cricket...He's a superb man, a hard man.''

Wessels was among those who persistently backed Johnson during his stint with Eastern Province before he moved on to Natal.

Johnson said scoring a century was a great occasion for him but losing the game was a "downer''.

"I suppose it (scoring a World Cup century) is one of the best things I've done, but it's no good losing the game...That's a bit of a downer,'' he said. "I'd have loved to have gone and won it for the boys.''

Johnson, primarily a middle-order batsman who has turned into an opener for Zimbabwe, moved to South Africa at the age of ten when his parents immigrated.

Making a mark as a young cricketer, Johnson was picked for South Africa 'A' side's tour to Zimbabwe in 1994-95, but subsequently went into oblivion.

He played English county cricket for Leicestershire for one year, but his hopes of making the Test side did not materialise. During this period, Johnson got invited back to Zimbabwe by Denis Streak, father of Zimbabwe Test cricketer, Heath, but did not accept the offer immediately.

Johnson waited for the South African selectors to notice him again before realising he had a better future in Zimbabwe and made the move back home last year.

In the one year since he moved back to Zimbabwe, Johnson has been one of the most successful players. An all-rounder who has attained some success with the ball, his primary job is to score runs, and he does it with aplomb.

The century at Lord's, his third in one-dayers, underlined his utility for Zimbabwe, but his most satisfying knock was the match-winning 76 against South Africa in a World Cup preliminary league clash.

"Yes, that was a big moment for me,'' said Johnson, showing no signs of rancour at being rejected by South Africa.

AP