Injuries hampering quality of cricket, says Kiwi
Lokendra Pratap Sahi
Calcutta Telegraph, November 1, 1999

Ahmedabad, Nov. 1 For Dion Nash the bowler, the Test series has ended. And, though he didn't match, or better, the sensational six-wicket burst in Mohali (six for 27), that will remain a highpoint of his career.

Actually, the Indians won't forget it either.

Nash, a key performer for the Black Caps, both in Tests and one-dayers, spoke to The Telegraph the other evening. He began by repeating what he'd said in Mohali: "Well, it can only get harder..."

The good thing, though, is that Nash continues to learn. Every outing, for him, really is part of the learning process. One of the few survivors of the 1995 tour party, Nash would hero-worship one John McEnroe ("He was always there to compete, a go-getter..."). That's significant.

Following are excerpts

Six-seven years down the line it's time, perhaps, for stock-taking. How do you look back on your career?

This, really, is my second innings... A fresh lease of life, if you wish to put it that way... I lost around 18 months (from the second-half of 1996) when I was at my peak... It wasn't then a good feeling, but I've returned and here I am

You had a back problem...

With the disc which collapsed... That was soon after I reported at Middlesex straight from the West Indies... It's during those 18 months, when I had a forced lay-off, that I actually realised how much cricket meant to me... That it would be impossible to stay away from the game.

Besides the rehab programme, how did you keep yourself occupied?

For the first six months no one &emdash; including myself &emdash; knew what exactly was wrong. That's because the initial scans didn't reveal anything... It wasn't a great situation to be in. It's only later that the specialists zeroed in on the disc.

I think I was fortunate in coming across a fitness programme authored by Dr Joseph Pilate, who'd worked in concentration camps during World War II... It revolves around strengthening the abdominal muscles and looking after the back.

I just kept at the programme.

Was the injury due to over-bowling?

Let me put it this way: The number of overs I'd been bowling couldn't have helped... Perhaps it will help if the Boards involved players when finalising the calendar, otherwise the standard will fall if players keep getting injured.

Indeed, the quality of entertainment has to be high, or else, the terraces won't be packed. But, with injuries holding centrestage, we may not see that quality.

Test cricket remains the biggest challenge, but I also realise it's one-day cricket that takes care of our bills.

Did you, at any time, fear you may never be able to bowl again?

That thought did surface but when I needed support, there were enough people around me... Basically, I dreaded the prospect of ending up doing a 9-5 job... It made me more determined to make a comeback. Yeah, that was one big driving force.

What were your thoughts as you marked your run-up in your comeback match?

More than anything else, I was just plain happy... It turned out to be a great game (WSC, in Brisbane). South Africa got 300 and we, I think, finished on 298. I was the last man out (38 off 31 deliveries) and, so, it was an interesting comeback.

Did you have to alter your action a wee bit?

I did work on a few things, idea being to keep it as easy on the body as possible. I consulted former cricketers besides experts in bio-mechanics. I stretch quite regularly and am into some yoga as well.

Have you consciously worked on your batting?

(Laughs) I've still got a long way to go, but the effort (during the forced lay-off) is paying off... There was a time, after all, when I thought my return to first-class cricket would initially be only as a batsman...

The captaincy has come your way when Fleming hasn't been available. Having had a feel, are you impatient to wear the captain's hat full-time?

We don't have an official vice-captain, though the understanding is I'll take charge if Stephen has to miss a game...

Stephen's doing a great job and, frankly, I just see myself as the next in line. Nothing more... What I'm focussed on, at the moment, is helping Stephen and the team get better.

What makes a good allrounder?

Somebody who can do a bit more with bat and ball vis-a-vis a specialist batsman or bowler. (Smiles ) Somebody special.

Did you have a role-model?

Holding... His influence has been most significant. He would always be so cool, would never give the impression he wasn't enjoying every minute...

Unless the enjoyment is there, you won't be able to give something in return. Equally, you won't be able to extract that bit more out of the game.

Botham, Hadlee and Imran inspired me, too.

You had a full season with Middlesex, one of the Counties recognised for grooming players the right way. What did you learn?

Quite a bit, though I found the season (mid-April to mid-September) too long... Playing alongside Gatting and Emburey, senior pros both, helped a great deal... I learnt what goes into the making of a winning team, got an insight into cricket which I probably wouldn't have got otherwise.

The last question: You'll soon be 28. Haven't you thought of settling down?

A (Laughs again) Cricket isn't a married man's game anymore!

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