Nash defends himself after incident
From The Otago Daily Times, Monday, February 16, 1998

Wellington: New Zealand cricketer Dion Nash yesterday defended himself after a collision which left Australian captain Steve Waugh with a pulled hamstring in Saturday's one-day international at Auckland's Eden Park.

The incident, which resulted in a caution for fast-medium bowler Nash from match referee Hanumant Singh, happened when Waugh had to change direction on a second run to avoid Nash, who had stopped at the end of his follow-through.

He clipped the back of Nash's legs, stumbled and fell when he reached the crease.

Singh said that while there had been a movement backwards from Nash it was not possible to conclude it had been deliberate.

The collision came at a vital time in Australia's chase for 224 to win the match. Waugh was on 10 and Australia was 78 for three in the 20th over.

He tried to bat on with a runner, but then retired hurt and returned later to make 23 in New Zealand's 30-run win.

The injury cast doubts over Waugh's role in Australia's tour of India, which starts later this week.

Waugh said Nash had stepped back into his path, forcing a late change of movement which led to the injury.

"I'm disappointed with how it happened. There was definitely a step backwards and I'm not sure what the reason was for that," Waugh said on Saturday night.

"Hopefully, he was trying to get out of the road of me."

But Nash said yesterday he had held his line after the delivery and was watching the path of the ball when he realised Waugh was right behind him.

"I don't know what he is talking about," Nash said.

"I'm surprised he's even come out and said something.

"At the end of the day in my view there was nothing in it."

Singh warned Nash to take care in future to stay out of the way of running batsmen, especially when the throw from the outfield was not coming to his end. - NZPA

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