Feisty Nash pulls stumps on memorable career
By Geoff Longley
From Stuff, May 3, 2002

Injury-prone New Zealand cricketer Dion Nash has finally succumbed to the inevitable and retired from the game at the highest level.

Nash, 30, bowed out yesterday being unable to lift himself for one more comeback in attempting to play at next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Nash spent more time with physiotherapists and building up to play in latter years than he ever spent on the field. "I think if I see another physio I'll just about blow up," Nash remarked recently.

The saddest thing is that when the aggressive Nash was on the park he was an integral component of the Black Caps. Since he burst on the scene in 1992, he brought an aggressive edge to his role as a middle-order batsman or medium-fast bowler.

At times Nash's competitive juices got the better of him and he overstepped the mark with verbal volleys. But he generally brought inspiration on the field.

Appropriately Nash's career ended with yet another injury, ironically while he was batting. He stumbled while avoiding a run-out in a one-day tri-series match in Australia in January.

The hip flexor problem he sustained then has not come completely right despite scans seeking to find the cause.

"Unfortunately, the motivation to overcome this latest injury is not as strong as it needs to be."

Nash said he had plans to finish a house being built on Waiheke Island and was looking forward to travelling overseas at the year's end. Nash's test career also ended with an injury but he departed on a typical fighting note in the first test against Australia at Brisbane. New Zealand was 243 for seven and facing the follow-on against Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie before Nash, batting in pain, struck a courageous unbeaten 25 enabling the mark to be avoided. Later that day the Black Caps almost won outright in a final innings run chase.

During 1998-99 Nash captained New Zealand when regular skipper Stephen Fleming was sidelined with injury and he earned acclaim for his leadership.

Statistically, Nash's most memorable test performance was against England in 1994 at Lord's with match figures of 11 for 169 and 56 – the first time a half century and 10-wicket haul had been achieved at the game's headquarters. That earned him a county contract with Middlesex the following year.

However, it was the winning series against England in 1999 which brought him the greatest satisfaction and specifically winning the decisive test at the Oval. "The team grew so much over that time so to come through and win that series was one of the most special times I can remember. New Zealand cricket is still benefiting from it. We all grew on that tour and the senior players are still leading the way."

Nash said the retirement of his fiancee Bernice Mene from international netball had not influenced his decision.

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