Nash Proves Worth with Five
From The Press, June 25, 1999

WELLINGTON - New Zealand medium-fast bowler Dion Nash proved a point in his five-wicket haul against British Universities at The Parks in Oxford yesterday.

Nash's five for 24 off 14.4 overs led New Zealand to a win by an innings and 44 runs on the final day of the three-day tour cricket match.

British Universities were dismissed for 238 in their second innings, having been all out for 231 on day one.

Nash showed he was still an effective wicket-taker after a lean period during the World Cup.

New Zealand scored 513 for six declared in its first innings, and the task of bowling the home side out on a flat pitch yesterday was always going to be a difficult one.

New Zealand coach Steve Rixon was impressed with Nash's attitude and performance.

"He bowled outstandingly, with genuine pace. It all pretty much went right for him," Rixon told NZPA.

"It was a very, very flat, slow wicket and to see him charging in was great."

Rixon believed Nash bowled well without much luck in the World Cup, and needed a big wicket-haul to boost him up before the first test against England starting next week.

"Dion bowled very well for a good period of the World Cup, beat the bat a lot, but didn't take wickets.

"He proved a point with his bowling today."

Nash's effort finished a good three days work for the New Zealanders, in which Matthew Horne, Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle scored centuries and Vettori also claimed five wickets on day one.

[Articles]