NEIL Johnson met up with former South Africa A teammate Nic Pothas last week and said: "I'm glad he's on my side again."

Johnson and Pothas are used to pitting their wits against each other in South Africa with Western Province and Gauteng respectively.

Now they are expected to bat together in Hampshire's middle order - starting with the championship opener today against Kent.

"I've played against Nic for many years and it's nice to have him with us, he's got a lot to give to Hampshire," said Johnson.

"He's a class player and a wonderful one-day batsman. He has that ability to finish games while batting in the upper middle order.

"He's able to understand a game and finish it and is a very dangerous player to have in championship and one- day cricket."

Pothas, 28, was expected to take over from former South Africa 'keeper Dave Richardson, before Mark Boucher, now skipper, was given the nod in the mid 1990's.

"Nic was very unlucky not to get Mark's position," added Johnson, Hampshire's highest scorer last season with 948 runs.

"Mark's done brilliantly since then but Nic was very unlucky at the time - Mark came from nowhere. Nic's decided that he doesn't want to play for South Africa anymore and has worked really hard on his keeping.

"His wicketkeeping has come on and on and he's a specialist, his batting is secondary. That gives us a lot of options because Adie (Aymes) did a great job for us last year and still has a lot to offer

"He works really hard, he never stops and is a superb trainer. He's super fit, a true professional. I saw him when I was over there during the winter and we chatted about Hampshire then.

"The great thing about Hampshire is that the boys make you feel very welcome and I think that is what John Crawley has found as well.

"John is another great acquisition. I've met John on the county circuit many times and he's a super striker of the ball. He can still play for England, he's got so much more to offer and I'm delighted he's here too."

Johnson's two-year contract expires at the end of the season but with two overseas players allowed from next season, he has a lot to play for.

"The boys are talking about winning the championship and we're certainly going to work very hard," he added. "I love playing at Kent, it really is a beautiful ground at Canterbury.

"When we went there last year it was rained off but we don't want that, it's very important that we get off to a good start."