Nash pulls pin on cricket career
By Jonathan Millmow
From Stuff, May 2, 2002

Fiesty New Zealand all-rounder Dion Nash retired from all cricket today, citing a lack of motivation to embark on another comeback from injury.

Nash's career has been plagued by back problems and his announcement came just as the 30-year-old had been cleared to resume training after a hip problem suffered in the one-day tri-series in Australia in January.

"It's not sad, it's a relief now I've got my head around it," Nash said today.

"I could've done it earlier but I wanted to get away from cricket and get some perspective. The (hip) scan showed I could come back but the reality was the motivation wasn't there to do the hard work that was required.

"In the past it's taken a lot of work and effort to get fit and this time I've had enough. I've had a good go at it."

Nash said he gave consideration to staying on for next year's World Cup but ultimately injury could strike again.

Back injuries were his greatest curse.

When fully fit he was a skilled and aggressive fast-medium bowler and handy lower order batsman.

His aggressive nature occasionally got the better of him but he remained widely respected on the international and provincial scene.

Nash played 32 tests, taking 93 wickets at 28.48. He also captured 64 wickets in 81 one-day internationals.

He shot to prominence in 1994 when becoming the first player to take 10 wickets and score a half century at Lord's .

However, he rated his finest moment as the test and series win against England at the Oval in 1999.

Nash's plans now involve travel and study. He and partner Bernice Mene, the former national netball captain, plan to travel around South America starting next month. He has also enrolled in a post graduate course at Melbourne University.

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