Oxford Downs have signed up former South African batting prodigy Johann Myburgh as their overseas player for the coming season Myburgh, 28, has played first-class cricket for more than ten years in South Africa and New Zealand.

He is now playing for Canterbury Wizards, where he was run out for 199 and made 101 not out in his last match.

Myburgh has a first class batting average of 44.51 and has also taken 23 wickets with his off-spin.

He was Canterbury’s leading batsman last season and should be eligible to play for New Zealand through residency in 18 months.

Born in Pretoria, Myburgh was a batting prodigy at school.

Aged 17, he broke Graeme Pollock's record for the youngest scorer of a double century in South African first-class cricket.

Last year, Myburgh top-scored with 87 for Canterbury against a virtually full-strength England XI, featuring Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood.

Ted Sandbach, chairman of the Oxford Times Cherwell League club, said: “His role will be to play in all the league games and run the Tuesday evening training/coaching sessions, which are open to all players aspiring to play league cricket.

“He will also help out on Wednesdays with the youngsters, probably doing some individual coaching for the most promising players.

“We hope that his experience and coaching will rub off on all players and that the general standard will improve.”