Dion Nash - Back on Track
By Margot Butcher
From Line & Length, Issue 3, 1998

At last the gods are smiling more kindly on Dion Nash. Even though the injury plagued allrounder wrenched his shoulder in a freak fielding accident against Zimbabwe, at least it didnn't happen until the final match of the series.

After an extensive physical rehabilitation programme, and a sensible management plan that saw Nash rested at key points against Australia and Zimbabwe this summer, he finished the home season with renewed confidence that his body can survive the rigours of a long cricket season- which is great news given the amount of cricket coming up for the Black Caps over the next 12 months.

For 18 months Nash couldn't bowl because of a prolapsed disc and stress fractures in his lower back. He credits his discovery of an exercise programme called Pilates, and the attentions of New Zealand Cricket staff, with his satisfying comeback.

New Zealand Cricket's Gilbert Enoka, who coordinated Nash's rehabilitation programme, praises Nash's attitude and commitment to getting back to full strength. Beams Enoka, "He's the biggest rehabilitational success we've had so far."

'Nashy,' as team-mates call him, enjoyed a solid season, starting with rapid fire runs and gamebreaking bowling in Cricket Max, followed by substantial performances in the Shell Conference and Trophy, including a century at Masterton.

He earned a recall to the national side, joining the Black Caps in Australia after Christmas for the latter stages of the Carlton and United World Series. At last cricket audiences were treated once more to the sight of Nash's gliding run-up.

When he was younger Nash was a big Micheal Holding fan and he modelled himself on the West Indian quick nicknamed 'Whispering Death' for the manner in which he approached the bowling crease. Nash laughs, "I've still got the run-up, but somewhere along the line I've managed to lose his action and his speed."

One of those people who can be as sweet as candy off the field, but is always a hardened competitor once he's out there, Nash says one of the biggest tests for him this season was walking back into the Black Caps dressing room after such a long absence. Since his last appearance two seasons ago, New Zealand had a change in captain, coach, playing philosophy and personnel. He had never played for New Zealand alongside Daniel Vettori, Shayne O'Connor or Craig McMillan.

Even though the twenty-six year old has several years' international experience over the likes of those players, he felt like he was the new kid on the block.

"I was actually quite nervous to begin with, just walking back in there and meeting new faces," he says, "Even the guys that I knew had all moved on from when I'd been playing with them before. It was a whole new environment, but it was nice to realise I was welcome back. Flem and the guys made it clear that I wasn't to be an outsider, that they wanted to make me part of the team. I appreciated that, and I soon found out there was a really wicked team spirit."

Nash believes the Black Caps' one day wins against Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and systematic demolition of Zimbabwe in two Bank of New Zealand tests, showed that New Zealand has the potential to beat anyone in the Cricket world, no matter what their ranking.

"We have what it takes, it's just a matter of putting it together a bit more," he says. "The thing that really shoe through for me was the attitude of the young guys. The confidence of Craig McMillan and Daniel Vettori was outstanding and that needs to be nurtured.

"So often youthful confidence, in cricket circles, as if it's meant to be knocked out of you, so it's been great to see those guys actually encouraged to go and be aggressive and play their natural game. It really worked for the team and I think they've got the confidence now to go on and perform at a high level for a long time."

As for Nash himself, he can't wait for the doctor's clearance to throw himself back into action against Sri Lanka.

"When my international career was taken away before, I woke up to just how much it meant to me, and how much I simply enjoy playing cricket and being in a team environment. As long as I can keep myself injury free from here on in, it will actually have been a great lesson, to enjoy every moment of it and respect the lifestyle that I've been lucky enough to get."

NB: Pilates is a special form of gym training used by ballet dancers, which strengthens the abdominals, back and midsection muscles&endash; because of this it's becoming increasingly popular with athletes.

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