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Dion Nash
From the 1999 Cricket Almanack
Transferred to Auckland from Northern Districts for the 1998/99
season but his commitments to the New Zealand side saw him
make only a brief apperance for his new province. In the meantime
he had become captain of New Zealand following the injury
to Stephen Flemming. He captained Northern in the conference
competition, scoring 98 against Southern. He captained New
Zealand A against Pakistan A making 70 and taking 3-20. Nash
was instrumental in New Zealand's teast series win over India.
At the Basin Reserve he made his highest teast score of 89
not out and took 3-20, while at Hamilton he toiled away for
2-98 and scored 18 not out and 63 (run out). Taking over for
7 one-day internationals against India and South Africa his
captaincy impressed although he found the going more difficult
in the teat series that followed.
Nash opened the bowling in the World Cup as foil for Geoff
Allott. After the first stage he had conceeded 131 runs from
the 48 overs and all told went for under 4 runs an over. He
again showed his liking for English conditions during the
tour that followed. He had 5-24 against the Universities,
2-49 and 3-32 versus Somerset and 3-17 in the first test.
Captaining the team against Hampshire, Nash scored 135 not
out and 62 and took 7-39, thus recording his highest first
class score and best first class bowling figures in the same
match. He also got 66 not out against Kent and in the victorious
teat at Lord's took 3-50 and 1-50. At Old Trafford he was
again the steadiest bowler with 3-46 and in the win at the
Oval took 1-40 and 4-39 in the second innings.
Nash's hard line approach on the field has given him deserved
sucess after suffering a long-term back injury. With a change
to his bowling action he is bowling as well as at any stage
of his carrer. His batting has improved out of sight to the
point where he is a genine all-rounder. With the tour to India
to come, followed by visits from West Indies and Australia,
New Zealand fans will be hoping he continues along the same
lines.
[New Zealand's other Player of the Year was Chris Cairns]
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