Nash raises sights to fresh horizons
By Henry Blofeld
From the Independent, Tuesday, June 21, 1994

Anyone who was at Lord's for all five days will have appreciated not only that Test cricket is alive and kicking but also what a much more rounded and satisfying game it can be than the one-day affairs. Throughout the five days there were plots and counter-plots. New Zealand, comprehensively outplayed at Trent Bridge, had much the better of the contest and will now be a more difficult side to beat. Dion Nash, who had seemed at best a willing workhorse, had the game of his life, Matthew Hart has shown himself to be an able left-arm spinner who will get better, Shane Thomson has announced that he will soon be a genuine all-rounder at this level and everyone contributed.

There was the joy of an exquisite hundred from Martin Crowe. Then, there was Ken Rutherford's captaincy which provided the spark of ignition.

He had acquired the job by default and before this match looked as if he would hold on to it only until someone else came along. Now, he thought and probed as he tried to exploit perceived weaknesses in the England batsmen. He was the man pulling the strings.

The moment of greatest surprise came after lunch on the last day. Robin Smith was caught behind cutting at Nash soon after lunch and then for his next few overs Nash tormented Graeme Hick with short balls on and around the off stump which had one thinking back to Headingley, Hick and Curtly Ambrose in 1991. Nash found more lift in this match than anyone.

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