Nash's irresistible form earns him national recall
From NZPA, December 31, 1997
Northern Districts all-rounder Dion Nash was last night
rewarded for fine early-season form with a recall to the New
Zealand cricket team for the second half of its one-day tri-series
in Australia next month.
Nash, who has been out of the New Zealand team since the
tour of the West Indies early last year because of a back
injury, is one of two changes to the squad from that used
in the pre-Christmas matches against Australia and South Africa.
Opener Craig Spearman has been brought back in after being
dropped for the Australian tour, while left arm fast-medium
bowler Geoff Allott, all-rounder Roger Twose, and medium-pacer
Gavin Larsen are out of a squad trimmed from 14 to 13. Larsen
was not available for selection, having fractured a bone in
his foot during the last one-dayer in Australia a fortnight
ago.
Nash (26), seemed set to be a integral part of the New Zealand
team when he took 11 wickets and hit a half-century against
England at Lord's in 1994. However, back injuries reduced
his effectiveness and he missed the 1996-97 season. Now he
is working his way back to full pace and has shown considerable
ability with the bat, including a century for Northern against
Central in the Conference competition.
"He's produced the goods right through Conference Cricket
and into Shell Cup," New Zealand convenor of selectors Ross
Dykes said last night. "His form with both bat and ball is
very high and he is satisfied, as are his medical advisers,
that he's now capable of giving what's required at the top
level."
Nash has taken 26 wickets in his 28 one-day internationals.
Spearman was recalled for New Zealand's tour of Zimbabwe
in September-October as a late replacement for the injured
Bryan Young, but did not do his chances of becoming a permanent
fixture much good with only moderate performances. But a brilliant
century against Canterbury in Monday's Shell Cup match in
Nelson, along with other encouraging form, has reopened the
door for the dashing opener.
"He's always been within the top group of players and we
asked him to produce form and he's done that with a vengeance.
"He's simply got in on current form," Dykes added.
Allott was not required in the first four one-dayers in Australia
and his omission is no surprise while Twose was a borderline
case for retention. He joined the Australian tour just before
the third test in Hobart, and did not have much luck with
run outs and questionable umpiring decisions.
The New Zealand team will play South Australia in a day-night
match in Adelaide next Sunday. It has two matches left against
each of South Africa and Australia. The team is: Stephen Fleming
(captain, Canterbury), Nathan Astle (Canterbury), Chris Cairns
(Canterbury), Simon Doull (Northern Districts), Chris Harris
(Canterbury), Matthew Horne (Otago), Craig McMillan (Canterbury),
Dion Nash (Northern Districts), Shayne O'Connor (Otago), Adam
Parore (Auckland), Craig Spearman (Central Districts), Daniel
Vettori (Northern Districts), Bryan Young (Northern Districts).
[Articles]
|