Comeback bid gets boost: Nash to lead northern side
From The Otago Daily Times, October 17, 1997

Wellington: Dion Nash's quest to earn a recall to the New Zealand team took a significant step forward yesterday when he was chosen to lead the Northern team in the Conference cricket competition.

The surprise selection of Nash to captain the conference side is a clear indication the New Zealand selectors have not forgotten the Northern Districts all-rounder.

Nash (25) has not played for New Zealand since he damaged ligaments in his lower back on the tour of the West Indies 18 months ago.

The New Zealand team leaves for its tour of Australia on Sunday, and Nash, who captained Northland at minor association level last season, now has an ideal stage on which to plot his comeback to international cricket.

He played for Northern Districts solely as a middle-lower-order batsman last summer, but has worked hard over the past winter to strengthen his back so he can resume his duties as a fast-medium bowler.

Northern: Dion Nash (captain), Mark Bailey, Grant Bradburn, Matthew Hart, Michael Parlane, Alex Tait (all Northern Districts); Aaron Barnes, Chris Brown, Chris Drum, Mark Haslam, Stephen Lynch, Jason Mills, Chris Pringle, Kerry Walmsley (all Auckland); Phil Chandler (Wellington).

* Northern Districts wicketkeeper Robbie Hart has been drafted into the central conference side.

Hart has been included in the central side of 14 ahead of wicketkeepers Martyn Sigley and Chris Nevin.

Central: Mark Greatbatch (captain), Mathew Sinclair, Craig Spearman, Campbell Furlong, Matthew Walker, Andrew Penn, Carl Bulfin (all Central Districts); Mark Jefferson, Roger Twose, Stephen Hotter, Glenn Jonas, Gavin Larsen, Matthew Bell (Wellington); Robbie Hart (Northern Districts).

- NZPA

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