Nash's test wicket tally moves at last
From the Waikato Times, February 20, 1998

New Zealand cricketer Dion Nash has had nightmares about the number 44.

Nash had been stuck on 44 test wickets for more then two years but marked his test comeback by claiming the important scalp of Zimbabwe opening batsman Grant Flower at the Basin Reserve in Wellington yesterday.

"After being injured for two years it is just such a great feeling to get off 44 wickets and get on to 45," Nash said.

Nash's last test was against Pakistan in Christchurch in December 1995. He toured the West Indies in early 1996 but broke down with a back injury.

Nash had enjoyed a promising start to his test career, including a fairytale performance against England at Lord's in 1994 when he took 10 wickets and scored a half-century.

He punched the air in jubilation when Flower chopped a ball on to his stumps with his score on 38 and the Zimbabwe team's total at 78 yesterday.

Nash and fellow seamers Simon Doull, Shayne O'Connor and Chris Cairns and spinner Daniel Vettori produced one of New Zealand's most disciplined displays in recent times after Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first on the opening day of the first test.

Play did not begin until 1.40pm, due to wet patches on the ground. After Flower and Gavin Rennie put on 30 runs for the first wicket, New Zealand took control.

Doull made the initial breakthrough when he bowled Rennie and he returned later to bounce out Paul Strang to finish with two for 12 off 12 overs.

Nash was handed the dreaded job of bowling up-wind at the Basin Reserve and responded with a courageous performance. He finished the day with the superb figures of one for 11 off 14 overs.

He joked he was mindful of not wanting to bowl too well into the wind in case skipper Stephen Fleming cottoned on to the idea he enjoyed the role.

"It was just one of those ones where no one really wants to do it but you just have to make the most of it," Nash said. "I feel you have to do the job you're given and do the best you can. I felt I did a good job but obviously at some stage I'd like to play a more attacking role."

Coach Steve Rixon felt Nash played a vital role in restricting Zimbabwe to 132 for eight. "It was difficult to bowl into the wind," Rixon said.

Nash capped his day by running out Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell. Heath Streak tickled the ball around the corner to Nash at backward square leg and Campbell came for the run and was given out by the third umpire. "I gave Adam (Parore) a shocking throw but we just managed to get him," Nash said.

- NZPA

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