Paul Nixon
Encyclopedia
Paul Andrew Nixon is an English cricket player who has played for Leicestershire
, England
, England A
, MCC
and Kent
. He is a wicket-keeper
and left-handed batsman. He announced that he would play his final game of professional cricket at Grace Road against Kent on 6 August 2011 in a T20 quarter final, which meant that should Leicestershire beat Kent and get into finals day he would play. Leicestershire got in to finals day, having had to achieve their highest ever T20 chase of 203 in 20 overs, which they managed in 19.2 overs, with Nico scoring 31 runs from 17 deliveries. Leicestershire then went on to win the competition; firstly beating Lancashire in a super over eliminator, then beating Somerset by 18 runs in the final, meaning that Paul Nixon got the fairytale end to his career that he dreamed of. His retirement will mark the end of his 23-year career.
Since playing international cricket, Nixon has become renowned for his vibrant contributions vocally from behind the stumps.
On the matter, Nixon remarked, "I've been doing it for 19 years and no one ever noticed before! It's not sledging mind. It's banter - like playing golf with a mate. I'm just trying to get 'em away from their concentration really."
On the last day of the 2006 season, Nixon was used as a declaration bowler against Essex
. He was clubbed for 69 off five overs, whilst Darren Robinson
, bowling at the other end, was hit for 117 off just 4.4 overs. Mark Pettini
smashed 114 off just 29 deliveries, a knock including 11 sixes. According to a BBC
report, they both served up "10 overs of utter rubbish - on agreement - to allow Mark Pettini the easiest century he will ever hit." This serves to demonstrate, if not Nixon's desire to force a result, that he is not a cricketer intent on playing for averages.
In October 2007, Nixon said that he would join the Indian Cricket League
, joining fellow English cricketers Darren Maddy
and Vikram Solanki
. He remarked, "This is an exciting opportunity, it is perfect timing. India is the mecca of cricket and Twenty20 interest is high due to the national team's success".
and with them he won two Championship titles in 1996 and 1998.
He played for the club until 2000 when he decided to move to Kent. He spent 2 years playing for Kent
but due to the emergence of Geraint Jones
he was forced into returning to Leicestershire in 2003. During his second stint at Leicester, Nixon has scooped the Twenty20 cup twice and been a major component behind the Foxes success in this format reaching all of the finals days. He made a career best 144 not out against Northamptonshire
in 2006.
In July 2007, it was announced that Nixon had been appointed captain of Leicestershire
until the end of the county season. The wicket-keeper took over from Darren Robinson
, whilst Jeremy Snape
remained in control of the one-day side. In August 2007, it was announced that Nixon would be the new club captain for all competitions, after signing a three year contract.
and two for Kent
. On only two occasions has his team lost after he has scored a century. The first time was whilst playing for Kent
against Warwickshire
in August 2002, where he hit 103 and then 26, took three catches, made two stumpings, and bowled three balls for eight runs in the second innings, as Kent
lost by 10 wickets. The second time was whilst playing for Leicestershire
against Northamptonshire
in September 2007, where he totalled 30 and 110, and pouched four catches, as his side lost by 177 runs.
* denotes not out
, before moving to Kent
and making 65 appearances there. He returned to Leicestershire
for the 2003 season, and has continued to feature for them since. Other List A outings have been for England A, First Class Counties Select XI, England XI, and England
.
Nixon made his first List A fifty in his 37th match, against Nottinghamshire
, hitting 60 in a 7 wicket loss. Perhaps his best run of form in his first spell at the club, was from March to June in 1999, where he hit his only hundred to date, against Sri Lanka A, before totalling 53 against the same opposition, and 60 against Sri Lanka B. 96* followed against Kent
, before the excellent spell was rounded off with 51 against Ireland.
He had to wait another 35 matches for his next fifty, which came for Kent
against Surrey
, and went on to hit two more half centuries for the Spitfires
. After returning to Leicestershire
, he hit four fities in his first nineteen games, but then had to wait forty-four matches for his next landmark innings. Three half centuries in the 2006 season followed, before his consistent performances continued for England
over the winter, and then his domestic side in the 2007 season.
Nixon has hit over 6000 List A runs, with landmarks being reached at various speeds along the way:
against the Sri Lanka A team. His highest score for the Foxes
in domestic cricket is the 96* he made in May 1999 against Kent
.
competition in 2003, Leicestershire
have proven to be real contenders for the title each year. With their competition name of Leicestershire Foxes
, they have run out winners on two occasions. Nixon has been a key member of the squad for each campaign.
He said of this fast paced form of the game, "Wicket-keepers play a very central role as the captain often asks you a lot about the lines people are bowling and the pace of the pitch. Both of these things have an impact on the skipper placing his fielding positions. Therefore the keeper in any team is an integral part of a captain's thought process."
was Yorkshire
, in their first ever Twenty20 Cup
match. The Foxes
ran out winners by 16 runs, with Australian Brad Hodge
taking the man of the match award for a sparkling innings of 97 and bowling figures of 3-6. Nixon himself thumped 43 off just 26 deliveries, hitting four 6s, and took two catches and a stumping.
After this great start for Nixon, the next few innings must have been somewhat of a frustration. 5 against Durham
was followed by 26 against Lancashire
, before 1 off 8 deliveries against Nottinghamshire
. Despite this, Leicestershire
ran out winners on each occasion. An explosive 27 off 13 balls, including two 4s and two 6s followed in the 1 run victory over Derbyshire
, as the Foxes
made their way to the semi final of the competition.
Warwickshire
were the opponents, and despite Brad Hodge
giving another man of the match performance of 66 with the bat and 1-27 with the ball, the Foxes
lost by 7 wickets. Nixon hit 7 off 10 deliveries, including a 4, but his team's total of 162 proved inadequate in the end.
picked up their best form to see off Lancashire
, before losing to Durham
. Next up were Yorkshire
and in a high scoring encounter, with both sides notching up over 200, the Foxes
won by 10 runs, with Darren Maddy
battering 111 off just 60 balls, smashing eight 4s and six 6s. Nixon had hit 3, 0 and 9 in these first three matches, but made up for this in the next game against Nottinghamshire
with a crucial 23, including a 4 and a 6 to see his side to a 40 run win.
A quarter final win over Essex
with a contribution of 3 by Nixon was followed by a semi final clash with Glamorgan
. In a tightly fought encounter, the Foxes
eventually won by 21 runs, with Nixon hitting an unbeaten 14. In the final, Leicestershire
faced Surrey
and won by 7 wickets, with Brad Hodge
again grabbing the headlines with an unbeaten 77. Nixon was not required to bat on the day, but was a worthy winner of a Twenty20 Cup
medal.
were the side to beat. Nottinghamshire
tried first, and failed, losing by 5 wickets, with Nixon hitting an impressive 32 not out to help see them off. A loss against Derbyshire
followed, although Nixon still contributed 16 and two catches. However, Leicestershire
were soon back to winning ways against Durham
, triumphing by 3 runs with Nixon hitting 11 off 11 balls. Lancashire
ran out winners in the next game, with Nixon being dismissed for a duck.
Scores of 15 not out and 4 followed in the next two wins over Nottinghamshire
and Durham
, and Nixon was not required to bat in the Leicestershire
victory over Yorkshire
as his side marched on to the quarter finals.
Middlesex
were the opponents, and the Foxes
ran out victors by 19 runs, with Nixon smacking an unbeaten 26 off 18 balls. Despite scoring 27 not out in the semi final against Somerset
, it was not enough to see them off, as Leicestershire
bowed out of the competition.
. 14 in the win over Nottinghamshire
was followed by 21 in the loss to Lancashire
. A stupendous inings of 42 off 25 deliveries, including four 4s and two 6s helped Leicestershire
to an 86 run win over Derbyshire
, although 13 was not enough to help see off Nottinghamshire
in the next match. Derbyshire
were next up, and Nixon helped his side to an 18 run win with an unbeaten 25. A score of 11 followed in the win over Durham
.
Then came Nixon's best performance in the competition up to this point. 52 off 39 balls, a knock which included four 4s and three 6s, saw his side over the line against Yorkshire
and won him the man of the match award. 19 off 12 deliveries in the victory over Durham
then lined up a quarter final clash with Kent
, where Nixon contributed an unbeaten 17 to help his side to a 9 wicket win.
The semi final of the competition brought another man of the match performance from Nixon, on a par with - if not eclipsing - his innings against Yorkshire
. Hitting an unbeaten 57 off just 33 deliveries, with six 4s and a 6, and taking a catch, he helped his side to a 23 run win over Essex
, as Leicestershire
made it to the final of the competition for the second time.
Nottinghamshire
were the tough opposition on the day, but the Foxes
prevailed, winning by 4 runs, although Nixon was not required to bat.
Leicestershire
set out on the road to retain their title in winning fashion, beating Yorkshire
by 13 runs. Nixon hit 23 off just 18 deliveries. A no result against Nottinghamshire
followed. The next opposition were Durham
, and in a game reduced to 13 overs per side, the Foxes
succumbed to an eight wicket defeat. Nixon hit 16 off 15 balls and took a catch.
After a subdued start to the competition with the bat, Nixon then went on to record his highest ever Twenty20 score against Derbyshire
. He smashed 65 off 41 deliveries, thumping seven 4s and a 6, before being bowled by Graham Wagg
, as Leicestershire
got back to winning ways with a 6 wicket win. He posted a partnership of 121 with Hylton Deon Ackerman
and stumped Greg Smith
after the South African had made 79.
Leicestershire
then had games against Nottinghamshire
, Derbyshire
and Durham
abandoned and the game against Lancashire
ended with no result.
After having five of the first eight group games abandoned, the Foxes
' hopes of retaining the trophy were ruined.
and New Zealand
, as one of two keepers along with Chris Read
. His closest opportunity to representing England prior to this came in 2000-01 when he was selected to tour Pakistan
and Sri Lanka
but did not replace the incumbent Alec Stewart
as England's keeper. In July 2007, he was named in the provisional 30 man squad for the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship
, to be held in South Africa, fighting for the wicket-keeper spot with Matt Prior. However, when the actual fifteen man squad was announced in August, Matt Prior was chosen as wicket-keeper for the tournament.
match against Australia
on 9 January 2007, scoring 31 not out - hitting two 4s and a 6 off just 22 balls, stumping Mike Hussey and running out Michael Clarke
with Paul Collingwood
, as England
slumped to a 77 run loss.
took on Australia
in the first match of the Commonwealth Bank Series. Despite being dismissed for 0, he did catch Adam Gilchrist
and Matthew Hayden
off the bowling of Jamie Dalrymple
and Monty Panesar
respectively, but despite this, Ricky Ponting
and Michael Clarke
each recorded unbeaten half centuries to complete an 8 wicket win for their side.
. Nixon and Liam Plunkett
set a new record 8th wicket partnership (of 76) for England in One-day Internationals, beating the previous effort held by Ben Hollioake
and Darren Gough
. He finished with 49, missing out on his half century when he holed out to Jacob Oram
off the last ball, hitting two 4s and two 6s along the way. Nixon also contributed with the bat in the 1st final against Australia with an unbeaten 11 from 10 balls as England won with 3 balls to spare.
, New Zealand
and England
, with all games being played in Australia. The hosts and England
made it through to the finals. This meant that of Nixon's first ten One Day International, six were against Australia
.
Nixon made an appearance with the bat in each match with a top score of 11 not out. The other five innings brought 0, 9, 4, 4 and 6 runs. This gave him an average of 6.8 against the one-day champions.
However, tight keeping and infamous banter from behind the stumps helped England
to a surprise series win. He caught eight Australian batsmen off a range of bowling, and helped run out Adam Gilchrist
with Liam Plunkett
in the third encounter between the two sides.
Nixon was to be remembered, regardless of any other achievement, as he was dismissed by Glenn McGrath
, with what was the Australian bowler's last ball in cricket at the SCG
.
Australia
were again the opposition for England
in the third match of the Super Eight
stage of the 2007 Cricket World Cup
. Australia
ran out winners by 7 wickets, with Nixon hitting 8 after joining the batting action late on in the innings. Despite having an overall one-day batting average of 19.8 at this point, Nixon's average against Australia
was just 7, demonstrating the significant contributions made against other opposition.
, Nixon was rewarded with a place in the squad, ahead of the two keepers selected for the Ashes series: Geraint Jones
and Chris Read
. Chairman of selectors, David Graveney
, said, "The wicket-keeping position remains a competitive area - Paul Nixon and Matt Prior have been included in the squad but will be aware that they face strong competition from keepers outside of the squad." Inclusion in the squad gave Nixon the chance to extend his England
career. Ultimately, Matt Prior was selected as wicket-keeper for the First Test against the West Indies, despite Nixon contributing significantly with the bat during the early stages of the season for Leicestershire
.
However, Nixon was selected as wicket-keeper for the England Lions team facing the West Indies before the tourists' one-day series against England
. Nixon, along with a number of other fringe players, saw the selection as an opportunity to push for a place in the senior squad. He said, "After the World Cup I thought I might not get another call-up to be honest, especially with the change of management, and Matt Prior has done so well since he came in."
Unfortunately for Paul, he was not named in the squad for the series against the West Indies, as Prior kept his position.
's first 2007 Cricket World Cup
match against New Zealand on 16 March 2007, he again shared an excellent stand with Liam Plunkett
- this time of 71 - to boost the total to 209. He ended the innings 42 not out, hitting five 4s having faced 41 balls. This stand turned out to be the best eighth wicket partnership in the whole of the competition. In New Zealand's reply, Nixon caught Lou Vincent
off the bowling of James Anderson
as the opener was dismissed for 0. Despite being 2-2 at one stage, the Kiwi's eventually won by 6 wickets, with Scott Styris
and Jacob Oram
both hitting unbeaten half centuries.
On 18 March, England
took on Canada
and Nixon hit 23 off just 8 balls, a knock which included four 4s and a 6 - a strike rate of just under 288. This helped his side accumulate 279. In their innings, Canada
were chasing England
's total with remarkable confidence, when Nixon stumped star performer Asif Mulla
who was on 58, off the bowling of Ravi Bopara. A certain amount of momentum was lost as a result, as the Canadians succumbed to a 51 run defeat.
Six days later, England
beat Kenya
by 7 wickets, although Nixon was not required to bat.
's first Super Eight
match against Ireland, Nixon contributed a useful 19 off 15 deliveries, hitting a 4 and a 6 along the way, accelerating the team's total to 266. Much like Canada
in the Group Stage, Ireland were steadily chipping away at England
's total, when Nixon again disrupted momentum with a stumping - this time nabbing Niall O'Brien
off Michael Vaughan
's bowling, for 63. Ultimately, England
won by 48 runs.
On 4 April, England
were up against Sri Lanka, and struggling at 133-6, chasing 236 to win. Nixon came to the crease and crashed 42 off just 44 deliveries, with two 4s and a superb 6, sharing an 87 run partnership with Ravi Bopara off just 15.2 overs, before skying a Lasith Malinga
delivery to Mahela Jayawardene
. This turned out to be the best seventh wicket partnership of the whole competition. His 6 came in the form of a fantastic reverse sweep off the bowling of Muttiah Muralitharan
. Renowned as one of the best players of the shot, Nixon remarked after the match, "I've probably hit 20 sixes like that in county cricket - if I get my timing right, it's going to go out of the ground". He had taken England
to the brink of victory, having arrived at the crease with the team all but defeated. Bopara was left with the task of hitting 3 runs off the last delivery, but was clean bowled by Dilhara Fernando
, as Sri Lanka sneaked a 2 run victory. After this innings, Nixon had a World Cup
average of 63 - second highest in the England
team to Paul Collingwood
, but still better than renowned big hitters Kevin Pietersen
and Andrew Flintoff
. The figure placed him in the top twenty batsmen - in terms of average - at the World Cup
at this stage, ahead of fellow wicket keepers, Brendon McCullum
, Adam Gilchrist
, Mark Boucher
and Kumar Sangakkara
.
On 8 April, England
faced Australia
in the third match of the Super Eight
stage of the competition. Electing to bat first, England
posted 247, with Kevin Pietersen
hitting 104 before attacking a Nathan Bracken
delivery, but only succeeding in playing the ball into the hands of Michael Clarke
. Nixon came in to bat towards the end of the innings, hit a Glenn McGrath
delivery for six, before the bowler got his revenge and had him caught for 8 by Brad Hodge
. It was evident after this performance that England
were finding difficulty in capitalising on good starts, and that a number of key players were struggling to find form. Nixon's World Cup
average dipped to 44.66 after five innings (two unbeaten) and 134 runs. Only Kevin Pietersen
, Paul Collingwood
, Ian Bell and Ed Joyce
had hit more runs at this stage, although all bar Joyce
had batted an innings more. Ravi Bopara had also hit over 100 runs at this point, and out of these six players, Nixon was the only one not to have hit at least 50 in a single innings. This further identified Nixon as a player with an ability to consistently contribute a substantial amount of runs, when with the right batting partner, usually lower down the order.
England
's fourth Super Eight
game was against Bangladesh, who had proven themselves to be tricky opposition, having beaten South Africa in their previous match. However, the Tiger's were bowled out for just 143, with Sajid Mahmood
and Monty Panesar
each taking three wickets. Nixon took two catches, both off the bowling of James Anderson
. In the chase, England
struggled, crumbling to 110-6, with an awkward 34 still needed for victory. Nixon, along with Paul Collingwood
, slowly but surely chipped away at the total and took England
to a four wicket win. Nixon finished on 20 not out, hitting a 4 and a 6 along the way. He faced 39 deliveries, compared to Collingwood
's 74, for 23 runs. This crucial partnership of 37 kept their nation's World Cup
dream alive. This knock took Nixon's average in the competition to 51.33, bettered in the England
team only by the stalwart Collingwood
and the expansive Pietersen
.
England
next faced South Africa in a match akin to a decider for which team was to progress to the semi finals. England
batted first and were 119-6 when Nixon came to the crease, with Ravi Bopara at the other end. After making 1, he was dismissed off the bowling of Andrew Hall
, caught by Mark Boucher
, as his team was eventually bowled out for 154, with Hall
taking 5-18 - the best ever figures for a South African at a World Cup
. In South Africa's reply, they were 37-0 off four overs, compared to England
's total of 5-0 at the same stage in their innings. England
finally made a breakthrough in the 10th over, as Nixon caught Abraham de Villiers
for 42 off the bowling of Andrew Flintoff
, but South Africa already had 85 on the board. In the end, the Proteas won by nine wickets, taking just over 19 overs to knock off England
's total, with captain Graeme Smith
firing an unbeaten 89 off 58 deliveries, to send England
crashing out of the competition.
Of the loss against South Africa, and England's
exit from the competition, Nixon said, "Colly and Strauss were going well, but we lost the whole middle order quickly. I felt good off the first ball, then just pushed at one second ball and got a feather to the wicketkeeper - just when you want a play and miss, but sadly not. People must remember that we are the second least-experienced side here, only Ireland have fewer caps. For me, I was desperate to win, because I know I will never have another go."
Lastly, England
played the West Indies, in what was Brian Lara
's last international match. He was absurdly run out for 18, but the hosts still went on to compile 300 with Chris Gayle
, Devon Smith
and Marlon Samuels
all hitting half centuries. Nixon took one catch - Ramnaresh Sarwan
off the bowling of Liam Plunkett
. In reply, England
had Michael Vaughan
to thank for a fairly solid start, reaching 101 before losing a second wicket. However, a mid order collapse followed, as Paul Collingwood
, Andrew Flintoff
and Jamie Dalrymple
all fell in quick succession. Nixon came to the crease with his side 189-6 and 112 runs still needed for victory. By picking the gaps and careful play, Nixon kept his score ticking along, whilst keeping his wicket intact. At the other end, Kevin Pietersen
went on to record his second century of the competition, before being bowled by Jerome Taylor
. The two had put on 80 together - a crucial partnership in the circumstances, but 31 runs were still required. Liam Plunkett
came and went, and with three more runs needed, Nixon himself was bowled by Dwayne Bravo
. His 38 (off 39 deliveries, with four 4s) was a vital contribution which helped bring England
to the cusp of victory. Playing in his first match of the competition, Stuart Broad
hit the winning runs to secure a morale boosting win for his side.
Of the match, Nixon said, "that was an amazing game of cricket. There was some tremendous batting from West Indies. We had to do something, we'd all talked about Duncan Fletcher and it means a lot for him. The lads paced the game so well. Michael Vaughan played beautifully, Kevin Pietersen came in and played magnificently and then the Leicestershire partnership finished it off."
After the match, a CricInfo
article read, "the match pivoted round Paul Nixon. By smashing three bottom-handed fours through midwicket in the 48th over he made a seemingly impossible chase do-able."
On the prospect of playing in future competitions for England
, Nixon remarked, "I still feel I could do a job at the next World Cup in 2011."
finished fifth in the competition overall, although Nixon had proved one of the team's success stories. He remarked, "fifth at the World Cup is nowhere - but I have loved every minute and let's see what the future holds."
Nixon finished the tournament with an average of 38.6, having scored 193 runs. This was the third highest in the England team
, behind Kevin Pietersen
and Paul Collingwood
. He was the only English batsman to score over 100 runs without hitting over 50 in a single innings.
After facing 194 balls, he had a strike rate of 99.48, hitting seventeen 4s and five 6s. This was the 10th highest strike rate of any player at the World Cup
. Of those batsmen that batted more than 3 times in the competition, he ended up with the 6th highest strike rate. He also recorded the fifth highest strike rate of any England
player in any innings in the competition, with his 42* off 41 balls against New Zealand - a strike rate of 102.43. Nixon made two more knocks with strike rates over 95, against West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Nixon was involved in four of the best England
partnerships:
Nixon had the 34th highest average of all of the players to have taken part - notably one place above Brian Lara
. He was the second highest placed wicket keeper - in terms of average - behind Adam Gilchrist
who moved ahead of the England
man after his astounding 149 in the final.
He finished with 9 dismissals - 7 catches and 2 stumpings, which placed him joint fifth in the wicket keeper dismissal rankings.
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
, England A
England A cricket team
The England Lions cricket team is a cricket team representing England and Wales. It is the "second-tier" of international English cricket below the full England cricket team, and is largely intended as a way for promising young cricketers to gain experience of playing international cricket...
, MCC
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
and Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
. He is a wicket-keeper
Wicket-keeper
The wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
and left-handed batsman. He announced that he would play his final game of professional cricket at Grace Road against Kent on 6 August 2011 in a T20 quarter final, which meant that should Leicestershire beat Kent and get into finals day he would play. Leicestershire got in to finals day, having had to achieve their highest ever T20 chase of 203 in 20 overs, which they managed in 19.2 overs, with Nico scoring 31 runs from 17 deliveries. Leicestershire then went on to win the competition; firstly beating Lancashire in a super over eliminator, then beating Somerset by 18 runs in the final, meaning that Paul Nixon got the fairytale end to his career that he dreamed of. His retirement will mark the end of his 23-year career.
Style and personality
His energy and enthusiasm behind the stumps along with his inventive batting technique have been hailed by many. Nixon has made the reverse sweep his own and is one of the few keepers to leave the stumps and dive in front of the ball when opposing batsmen attempt this stroke.Since playing international cricket, Nixon has become renowned for his vibrant contributions vocally from behind the stumps.
On the matter, Nixon remarked, "I've been doing it for 19 years and no one ever noticed before! It's not sledging mind. It's banter - like playing golf with a mate. I'm just trying to get 'em away from their concentration really."
On the last day of the 2006 season, Nixon was used as a declaration bowler against Essex
Essex County Cricket Club
Essex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Essex. Its limited overs team is called the Essex Eagles, their team colours this season are blue.The club plays most of its home games...
. He was clubbed for 69 off five overs, whilst Darren Robinson
Darren Robinson (cricketer)
Darren David John Robinson is an English cricket player who has played for the cricket teams of Essex and Leicestershire....
, bowling at the other end, was hit for 117 off just 4.4 overs. Mark Pettini
Mark Pettini
Mark Lewis Pettini is an English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman. He can also bowl right-arm medium-pace bowler and has also acted as Essex's wicket-keeper, but not for a number of years. Nicknamed "Swamps" by his Essex team mates.-Playing Style:Mark Pettini is an aggressive batsman who...
smashed 114 off just 29 deliveries, a knock including 11 sixes. According to a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
report, they both served up "10 overs of utter rubbish - on agreement - to allow Mark Pettini the easiest century he will ever hit." This serves to demonstrate, if not Nixon's desire to force a result, that he is not a cricketer intent on playing for averages.
In October 2007, Nixon said that he would join the Indian Cricket League
Indian Cricket League
The Indian Cricket League was a private cricket league funded by Zee Entertainment Enterprises that operated between 2007 and 2009 in India...
, joining fellow English cricketers Darren Maddy
Darren Maddy
Darren Lee Maddy is an English cricketer who plays first class cricket for Warwickshire. He played three Tests and eight One Day Internationals for England, making one international fifty in his ten innings between 1998 and 2000 before he was finally dropped following the tour of Zimbabwe in 2000,...
and Vikram Solanki
Vikram Solanki
Vikram Singh Solanki is an Indian-born English cricketer, who plays county cricket for Worcestershire. In 2007, he became the 24th Worcestershire batsman to pass 10,000 career runs for the county. He also captained Worcestershire from 2005 to 2010, before resigning mid-season...
. He remarked, "This is an exciting opportunity, it is perfect timing. India is the mecca of cricket and Twenty20 interest is high due to the national team's success".
County career
Paul Nixon made his first class debut in 1989 with LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
and with them he won two Championship titles in 1996 and 1998.
He played for the club until 2000 when he decided to move to Kent. He spent 2 years playing for Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
but due to the emergence of Geraint Jones
Geraint Jones
Geraint Owen Jones MBE is an England cricketer of Welsh extraction but raised in Australia. Until August 2006 he was the first-choice wicketkeeper for England in both Test and One-day cricket, but fell behind Chris Read, Paul Nixon, Matt Prior and Tim Ambrose...
he was forced into returning to Leicestershire in 2003. During his second stint at Leicester, Nixon has scooped the Twenty20 cup twice and been a major component behind the Foxes success in this format reaching all of the finals days. He made a career best 144 not out against Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Northamptonshire. Its limited overs team is called the Northants Steelbacks. The traditional club colour is Maroon. During the...
in 2006.
In July 2007, it was announced that Nixon had been appointed captain of Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
until the end of the county season. The wicket-keeper took over from Darren Robinson
Darren Robinson (cricketer)
Darren David John Robinson is an English cricket player who has played for the cricket teams of Essex and Leicestershire....
, whilst Jeremy Snape
Jeremy Snape
Jeremy Nicholas Snape is an English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and bowls right-arm offbreak. Outside of cricket, he has a Masters in Sports Psychology and has worked with a variety of national cricket teams....
remained in control of the one-day side. In August 2007, it was announced that Nixon would be the new club captain for all competitions, after signing a three year contract.
First Class Centuries
Nixon has eighteen first class centuries to his name, with sixteen for LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
and two for Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
. On only two occasions has his team lost after he has scored a century. The first time was whilst playing for Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
against Warwickshire
Warwickshire County Cricket Club
Warwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Warwickshire. Its limited overs team is called the Warwickshire Bears. Their kit colours are black and gold and the shirt sponsor...
in August 2002, where he hit 103 and then 26, took three catches, made two stumpings, and bowled three balls for eight runs in the second innings, as Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
lost by 10 wickets. The second time was whilst playing for Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
against Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Northamptonshire. Its limited overs team is called the Northants Steelbacks. The traditional club colour is Maroon. During the...
in September 2007, where he totalled 30 and 110, and pouched four catches, as his side lost by 177 runs.
| For | Against | Date | Format | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leicestershire Leicestershire County Cricket Club Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland.... |
Hampshire Hampshire County Cricket Club Hampshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Hampshire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1863 as a successor to the Hampshire county cricket teams and has played at the Antelope Ground from then until 1885, before moving to the County Ground where it... |
June 1992 | 3 day | Draw | 107* |
| Lancashire Lancashire County Cricket Club Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then... |
July 1993 | 4 day | Won by an innings & 58 runs | 113* | |
| Northamptonshire Northamptonshire County Cricket Club Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Northamptonshire. Its limited overs team is called the Northants Steelbacks. The traditional club colour is Maroon. During the... |
April 1994 | 4 day | Won by 10 wickets | 106 | |
| Essex Essex County Cricket Club Essex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Essex. Its limited overs team is called the Essex Eagles, their team colours this season are blue.The club plays most of its home games... |
June/July 1994 | 4 day | Won by an innings & 49 runs | 115 | |
| Hampshire Hampshire County Cricket Club Hampshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Hampshire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1863 as a successor to the Hampshire county cricket teams and has played at the Antelope Ground from then until 1885, before moving to the County Ground where it... |
September 1994 | 4 day | Won by 7 wickets | 131 | |
| Oxford | April 1996 | 3 day | Draw | 100* | |
| Lancashire Lancashire County Cricket Club Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then... |
May 1996 | 4 day | Draw | 106 | |
| Durham Durham County Cricket Club Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was... |
September 1996 | 4 day | Won by an innings & 251 runs | 103* | |
| Glamorgan Glamorgan County Cricket Club Glamorgan County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Glamorgan aka Glamorganshire . Glamorgan CCC is the only Welsh first-class cricket club. Glamorgan CCC have won the English County... |
June 1998 | 4 day | Won by 140 runs | 107* | |
| Surrey Surrey County Cricket Club Surrey County Cricket Club is one of the 18 professional county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Surrey. Its limited overs team is called the Surrey Lions... |
September 1998 | 4 day | Won by an innings & 211 runs | 101* | |
| Essex Essex County Cricket Club Essex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Essex. Its limited overs team is called the Essex Eagles, their team colours this season are blue.The club plays most of its home games... |
April 1999 | 4 day | Won by an innings & 22 runs | 121 | |
| Kent Kent County Cricket Club Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent... |
Hampshire Hampshire County Cricket Club Hampshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Hampshire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1863 as a successor to the Hampshire county cricket teams and has played at the Antelope Ground from then until 1885, before moving to the County Ground where it... |
August 2000 | 4 day | Won by 15 runs | 134* |
| Warwickshire Warwickshire County Cricket Club Warwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Warwickshire. Its limited overs team is called the Warwickshire Bears. Their kit colours are black and gold and the shirt sponsor... |
August 2002 | 4 day | Lost by 10 wickets | 103 | |
| Leicestershire Leicestershire County Cricket Club Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland.... |
Kent Kent County Cricket Club Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent... |
April 2003 | 4 day | Draw | 113 |
| Gloucestershire Gloucestershire County Cricket Club Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators.... |
August 2006 | 4 day | Won by 4 wickets | 103 | |
| Northamptonshire Northamptonshire County Cricket Club Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Northamptonshire. Its limited overs team is called the Northants Steelbacks. The traditional club colour is Maroon. During the... |
August 2006 | 4 day | Draw | 144* | |
| Glamorgan Glamorgan County Cricket Club Glamorgan County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Glamorgan aka Glamorganshire . Glamorgan CCC is the only Welsh first-class cricket club. Glamorgan CCC have won the English County... |
July 2007 | 4 day | Won by 10 wickets | 126 | |
| Northamptonshire Northamptonshire County Cricket Club Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Northamptonshire. Its limited overs team is called the Northants Steelbacks. The traditional club colour is Maroon. During the... |
September 2007 | 4 day | Lost by 177 runs | 110 |
* denotes not out
List A Career
Nixon played 197 List A matches for LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
, before moving to Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
and making 65 appearances there. He returned to Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
for the 2003 season, and has continued to feature for them since. Other List A outings have been for England A, First Class Counties Select XI, England XI, and England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
.
Nixon made his first List A fifty in his 37th match, against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
, hitting 60 in a 7 wicket loss. Perhaps his best run of form in his first spell at the club, was from March to June in 1999, where he hit his only hundred to date, against Sri Lanka A, before totalling 53 against the same opposition, and 60 against Sri Lanka B. 96* followed against Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
, before the excellent spell was rounded off with 51 against Ireland.
He had to wait another 35 matches for his next fifty, which came for Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
against Surrey
Surrey County Cricket Club
Surrey County Cricket Club is one of the 18 professional county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Surrey. Its limited overs team is called the Surrey Lions...
, and went on to hit two more half centuries for the Spitfires
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
. After returning to Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
, he hit four fities in his first nineteen games, but then had to wait forty-four matches for his next landmark innings. Three half centuries in the 2006 season followed, before his consistent performances continued for England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
over the winter, and then his domestic side in the 2007 season.
Nixon has hit over 6000 List A runs, with landmarks being reached at various speeds along the way:
- 1000 runs, match 80, for LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket ClubLeicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
against SussexSussex County Cricket ClubSussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...
, in August 1994, making 14, and finishing the game with 1013 runs - 2000 runs, match 151, for LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket ClubLeicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
against WarwickshireWarwickshire County Cricket ClubWarwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Warwickshire. Its limited overs team is called the Warwickshire Bears. Their kit colours are black and gold and the shirt sponsor...
, in May 1998, making 36, and finishing the game with 2027 runs - 3000 runs, match 195, for LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket ClubLeicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
against EssexEssex County Cricket ClubEssex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Essex. Its limited overs team is called the Essex Eagles, their team colours this season are blue.The club plays most of its home games...
, in August 1999, making 20*, and finishing the game with 3014 runs - 4000 runs, match 254, for KentKent County Cricket ClubKent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
against WorcestershireWorcestershire County Cricket ClubWorcestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Worcestershire...
, in July 2002, making 60, and finishing the game with 4002 runs - 5000 runs, match 306, for LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket ClubLeicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
against DurhamDurham County Cricket ClubDurham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
, in April 2005, making 29, and finishing the game with 5025 runs - 6000 runs, match 360, for EnglandEnglish cricket teamThe England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
against West Indies, in April 2007, making 38, and finishing the game with 6019 runs
List A Centuries
Despite scoring twenty eight half centuries in List A cricket, Nixon has just one hundred under his belt, and this was for LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
against the Sri Lanka A team. His highest score for the Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
in domestic cricket is the 96* he made in May 1999 against Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
.
| For | Against | Date | Format | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leicestershire Leicestershire County Cricket Club Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland.... |
Sri Lanka A | March 1999 | 50 overs | Lost by 2 runs | 101 |
Domestic Twenty20 Career
Since the inauguration of the Twenty20 CupTwenty20 Cup
The Twenty20 Cup was a cricket competition for English and Welsh county clubs.In 2010, it has been replaced by Friends Provident t20 as the domestic Twenty20 competition.-History:...
competition in 2003, Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
have proven to be real contenders for the title each year. With their competition name of Leicestershire Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
, they have run out winners on two occasions. Nixon has been a key member of the squad for each campaign.
He said of this fast paced form of the game, "Wicket-keepers play a very central role as the captain often asks you a lot about the lines people are bowling and the pace of the pitch. Both of these things have an impact on the skipper placing his fielding positions. Therefore the keeper in any team is an integral part of a captain's thought process."
2003
First up for LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
was Yorkshire
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Yorkshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Yorkshire as one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure....
, in their first ever Twenty20 Cup
Twenty20 Cup
The Twenty20 Cup was a cricket competition for English and Welsh county clubs.In 2010, it has been replaced by Friends Provident t20 as the domestic Twenty20 competition.-History:...
match. The Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
ran out winners by 16 runs, with Australian Brad Hodge
Brad Hodge
Bradley John Hodge is an Australian and Victorian cricketer. He attended St Bede's College in Mentone, Victoria. He is a right hand batsman who bats in the middle order, as well as a part time right arm off spin bowler....
taking the man of the match award for a sparkling innings of 97 and bowling figures of 3-6. Nixon himself thumped 43 off just 26 deliveries, hitting four 6s, and took two catches and a stumping.
After this great start for Nixon, the next few innings must have been somewhat of a frustration. 5 against Durham
Durham County Cricket Club
Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
was followed by 26 against Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
, before 1 off 8 deliveries against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
. Despite this, Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
ran out winners on each occasion. An explosive 27 off 13 balls, including two 4s and two 6s followed in the 1 run victory over Derbyshire
Derbyshire County Cricket Club
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the England and Wales domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Derbyshire...
, as the Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
made their way to the semi final of the competition.
Warwickshire
Warwickshire County Cricket Club
Warwickshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Warwickshire. Its limited overs team is called the Warwickshire Bears. Their kit colours are black and gold and the shirt sponsor...
were the opponents, and despite Brad Hodge
Brad Hodge
Bradley John Hodge is an Australian and Victorian cricketer. He attended St Bede's College in Mentone, Victoria. He is a right hand batsman who bats in the middle order, as well as a part time right arm off spin bowler....
giving another man of the match performance of 66 with the bat and 1-27 with the ball, the Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
lost by 7 wickets. Nixon hit 7 off 10 deliveries, including a 4, but his team's total of 162 proved inadequate in the end.
2004
A new year and a new competition, and LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
picked up their best form to see off Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
, before losing to Durham
Durham County Cricket Club
Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
. Next up were Yorkshire
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Yorkshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Yorkshire as one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure....
and in a high scoring encounter, with both sides notching up over 200, the Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
won by 10 runs, with Darren Maddy
Darren Maddy
Darren Lee Maddy is an English cricketer who plays first class cricket for Warwickshire. He played three Tests and eight One Day Internationals for England, making one international fifty in his ten innings between 1998 and 2000 before he was finally dropped following the tour of Zimbabwe in 2000,...
battering 111 off just 60 balls, smashing eight 4s and six 6s. Nixon had hit 3, 0 and 9 in these first three matches, but made up for this in the next game against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
with a crucial 23, including a 4 and a 6 to see his side to a 40 run win.
A quarter final win over Essex
Essex County Cricket Club
Essex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Essex. Its limited overs team is called the Essex Eagles, their team colours this season are blue.The club plays most of its home games...
with a contribution of 3 by Nixon was followed by a semi final clash with Glamorgan
Glamorgan County Cricket Club
Glamorgan County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Glamorgan aka Glamorganshire . Glamorgan CCC is the only Welsh first-class cricket club. Glamorgan CCC have won the English County...
. In a tightly fought encounter, the Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
eventually won by 21 runs, with Nixon hitting an unbeaten 14. In the final, Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
faced Surrey
Surrey County Cricket Club
Surrey County Cricket Club is one of the 18 professional county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Surrey. Its limited overs team is called the Surrey Lions...
and won by 7 wickets, with Brad Hodge
Brad Hodge
Bradley John Hodge is an Australian and Victorian cricketer. He attended St Bede's College in Mentone, Victoria. He is a right hand batsman who bats in the middle order, as well as a part time right arm off spin bowler....
again grabbing the headlines with an unbeaten 77. Nixon was not required to bat on the day, but was a worthy winner of a Twenty20 Cup
Twenty20 Cup
The Twenty20 Cup was a cricket competition for English and Welsh county clubs.In 2010, it has been replaced by Friends Provident t20 as the domestic Twenty20 competition.-History:...
medal.
2005
As reigning champions, LeicestershireLeicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
were the side to beat. Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
tried first, and failed, losing by 5 wickets, with Nixon hitting an impressive 32 not out to help see them off. A loss against Derbyshire
Derbyshire County Cricket Club
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the England and Wales domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Derbyshire...
followed, although Nixon still contributed 16 and two catches. However, Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
were soon back to winning ways against Durham
Durham County Cricket Club
Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
, triumphing by 3 runs with Nixon hitting 11 off 11 balls. Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
ran out winners in the next game, with Nixon being dismissed for a duck.
Scores of 15 not out and 4 followed in the next two wins over Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
and Durham
Durham County Cricket Club
Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
, and Nixon was not required to bat in the Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
victory over Yorkshire
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Yorkshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Yorkshire as one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure....
as his side marched on to the quarter finals.
Middlesex
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Middlesex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Middlesex. It was announced in February 2009 that Middlesex changed their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders, to the...
were the opponents, and the Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
ran out victors by 19 runs, with Nixon smacking an unbeaten 26 off 18 balls. Despite scoring 27 not out in the semi final against Somerset
Somerset County Cricket Club
Somerset County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Somerset...
, it was not enough to see them off, as Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
bowed out of the competition.
2006
2006 was arguably Nixon's best year in the Twenty20 CupTwenty20 Cup
The Twenty20 Cup was a cricket competition for English and Welsh county clubs.In 2010, it has been replaced by Friends Provident t20 as the domestic Twenty20 competition.-History:...
. 14 in the win over Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
was followed by 21 in the loss to Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
. A stupendous inings of 42 off 25 deliveries, including four 4s and two 6s helped Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
to an 86 run win over Derbyshire
Derbyshire County Cricket Club
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the England and Wales domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Derbyshire...
, although 13 was not enough to help see off Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
in the next match. Derbyshire
Derbyshire County Cricket Club
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the England and Wales domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Derbyshire...
were next up, and Nixon helped his side to an 18 run win with an unbeaten 25. A score of 11 followed in the win over Durham
Durham County Cricket Club
Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
.
Then came Nixon's best performance in the competition up to this point. 52 off 39 balls, a knock which included four 4s and three 6s, saw his side over the line against Yorkshire
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Yorkshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Yorkshire as one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure....
and won him the man of the match award. 19 off 12 deliveries in the victory over Durham
Durham County Cricket Club
Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
then lined up a quarter final clash with Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
, where Nixon contributed an unbeaten 17 to help his side to a 9 wicket win.
The semi final of the competition brought another man of the match performance from Nixon, on a par with - if not eclipsing - his innings against Yorkshire
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Yorkshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Yorkshire as one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure....
. Hitting an unbeaten 57 off just 33 deliveries, with six 4s and a 6, and taking a catch, he helped his side to a 23 run win over Essex
Essex County Cricket Club
Essex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Essex. Its limited overs team is called the Essex Eagles, their team colours this season are blue.The club plays most of its home games...
, as Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
made it to the final of the competition for the second time.
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
were the tough opposition on the day, but the Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
prevailed, winning by 4 runs, although Nixon was not required to bat.
2007
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
set out on the road to retain their title in winning fashion, beating Yorkshire
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Yorkshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Yorkshire as one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure....
by 13 runs. Nixon hit 23 off just 18 deliveries. A no result against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
followed. The next opposition were Durham
Durham County Cricket Club
Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
, and in a game reduced to 13 overs per side, the Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
succumbed to an eight wicket defeat. Nixon hit 16 off 15 balls and took a catch.
After a subdued start to the competition with the bat, Nixon then went on to record his highest ever Twenty20 score against Derbyshire
Derbyshire County Cricket Club
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the England and Wales domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Derbyshire...
. He smashed 65 off 41 deliveries, thumping seven 4s and a 6, before being bowled by Graham Wagg
Graham Wagg
Graham Grant Wagg is an English cricketer who currently plays for Glamorgan, having been at Warwickshire and Derbyshire.Wagg made his debut as a lower-order batsman for Warwickshire's Second XI in August 1999...
, as Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
got back to winning ways with a 6 wicket win. He posted a partnership of 121 with Hylton Deon Ackerman
Hylton Deon Ackerman
Hylton Deon Ackerman, also known as HD Ackerman, is a South African cricketer.Ackerman has four Test appearances for South Africa all made in 1998. He made a gutsy 57 in his first Test innings but after that made little impact...
and stumped Greg Smith
Greg Smith (cricketer, born 1983)
Gregory Marc Smith is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler who plays for Derbyshire....
after the South African had made 79.
Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
then had games against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire County Cricket Club
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the England and Wales domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Derbyshire...
and Durham
Durham County Cricket Club
Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
abandoned and the game against Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
ended with no result.
After having five of the first eight group games abandoned, the Foxes
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
' hopes of retaining the trophy were ruined.
Statistics
| Year | Played | Runs | Top Score | Average | 50 | Catches | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 | 109 | 43 | 18.16 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 2004 | 7 | 52 | 23 | 10.40 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2005 | 9 | 131 | 32* | 26.2 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 2006 | 11 | 271 | 57* | 38.71 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| 2007 | 5 | 107 | 65 | 26.75 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
International career
At the age of 36 he was surprisingly called into the squad for the 2007 triangular one-day tournament against AustraliaAustralian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
and New Zealand
New Zealand cricket team
The New Zealand cricket team, nicknamed the Black Caps, are the national cricket team representing New Zealand. They played their first in 1930 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand, becoming the fifth country to play Test cricket. It took the team until 1955–56 to win a Test, against the...
, as one of two keepers along with Chris Read
Chris Read
Christopher Mark Wells Read is an English cricketer, a wicket-keeper who is the captain of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club...
. His closest opportunity to representing England prior to this came in 2000-01 when he was selected to tour Pakistan
Pakistani cricket team
The Pakistan cricket team is the national cricket team of Pakistan. Pakistan, represented by the Pakistan Cricket Board , is a full member of the International Cricket Council, and thus participates in , and cricket matches....
and Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cricket team
The Sri Lankan cricket team is the national cricket team of Sri Lanka. The team first played international cricket in 1926–27, and were later awarded Test status in 1981, which made Sri Lanka the eighth Test cricket playing nation...
but did not replace the incumbent Alec Stewart
Alec Stewart
Alec James Stewart OBE is a retired English cricketer, a right-handed batsman-wicketkeeper and former captain of the England cricket team...
as England's keeper. In July 2007, he was named in the provisional 30 man squad for the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship
2007 Twenty20 World Championship
The 2007 ICC World Twenty20 was the inaugural Twenty20 cricket World Championship and it took place in South Africa from 11 September to 24 September 2007. Twelve teams took part in the thirteen-day tournament, comprising the ten Test playing nations as well as the finalists of the 2007 WCL...
, to be held in South Africa, fighting for the wicket-keeper spot with Matt Prior. However, when the actual fifteen man squad was announced in August, Matt Prior was chosen as wicket-keeper for the tournament.
International Twenty20 Debut
He made his international debut in a Twenty20Twenty20
Twenty20 is a form of cricket, originally introduced in England for professional inter-county competition by the England and Wales Cricket Board , in 2003. A Twenty20 game involves two teams, each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Twenty20 cricket is also known as T20 cricket...
match against Australia
Australian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
on 9 January 2007, scoring 31 not out - hitting two 4s and a 6 off just 22 balls, stumping Mike Hussey and running out Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke (cricketer)
Michael John Clarke is an Australian cricketer. He was appointed captain of the Test and ODI teams on 30 March 2011. Nicknamed 'Pup', he is a right-handed batsman, and occasional left-arm orthodox spin bowler...
with Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
, as England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
slumped to a 77 run loss.
ODI Debut
His first one-day call up came three days later, as EnglandEnglish cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
took on Australia
Australian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
in the first match of the Commonwealth Bank Series. Despite being dismissed for 0, he did catch Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist
Adam Craig Gilchrist AM , nicknamed "Gilly" or "Churchy", is an Australian international cricketer who currently captains Kings XI Punjab and recently captained Middlesex. He is an attacking left-handed batsman and record-breaking wicket-keeper, who redefined the role for the Australian national...
and Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden
Matthew Lawrence Hayden AM is a former Australian cricketer, and was signed to the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL until the 2010 season. Hayden is a powerful and aggressive left-handed opening batsman, known for his ability to score quickly at both Test and one day levels.Hayden holds the record...
off the bowling of Jamie Dalrymple
Jamie Dalrymple
James William Murray "Jamie" Dalrymple is a Kenyan-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler....
and Monty Panesar
Monty Panesar
Mudhsuden Singh Panesar, known as Monty Panesar , is an English cricketer who currently plays for Sussex. A left-arm spinner, Panesar played Test and one-day cricket for England until 2009. In English county cricket he played for Northamptonshire until 2009...
respectively, but despite this, Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting
Ricky Thomas Ponting , nicknamed Punter, is an Australian cricketer, a former captain of the Australian cricket team between 2004 and 2011 in Test cricket and 2002 and 2011 in One Day International cricket. He is a specialist right-handed batsman, slips and close catching fielder, as well as a very...
and Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke (cricketer)
Michael John Clarke is an Australian cricketer. He was appointed captain of the Test and ODI teams on 30 March 2011. Nicknamed 'Pup', he is a right-handed batsman, and occasional left-arm orthodox spin bowler...
each recorded unbeaten half centuries to complete an 8 wicket win for their side.
Highest Score
Nixon's highest score with the bat came on 30 January 2007, against New ZealandNew Zealand cricket team
The New Zealand cricket team, nicknamed the Black Caps, are the national cricket team representing New Zealand. They played their first in 1930 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand, becoming the fifth country to play Test cricket. It took the team until 1955–56 to win a Test, against the...
. Nixon and Liam Plunkett
Liam Plunkett
Liam Edward Plunkett is an English cricketer, who plays for Durham and England. In the 2005 season he was Durham's leading first-class wicket-taker, with 51 wickets at a bowling average of 30.84, including eight for 88 in his first game of the season against Leicestershire.-Test cricket:Plunkett...
set a new record 8th wicket partnership (of 76) for England in One-day Internationals, beating the previous effort held by Ben Hollioake
Ben Hollioake
Benjamin Caine Hollioake was an all rounder for Surrey County Cricket Club and the England cricket team. He was born in Melbourne, Australia, and moved to England as a boy, along with his older brother Adam...
and Darren Gough
Darren Gough
Darren Gough is a retired English cricketer and former captain of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The spearhead of England's bowling attack through much of the 1990s, he is England's highest wicket-taker in one-day internationals with 234, and took 229 wickets in his 58 Test matches, making him...
. He finished with 49, missing out on his half century when he holed out to Jacob Oram
Jacob Oram
Jacob David Philip Oram is a New Zealand cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler. His abilities with both bat and ball has made him a regular fixture in the current New Zealand International sides...
off the last ball, hitting two 4s and two 6s along the way. Nixon also contributed with the bat in the 1st final against Australia with an unbeaten 11 from 10 balls as England won with 3 balls to spare.
Record v. Australia
Nixon first arrived on the scene at the start of the Commonwealth Series, starting in January 2007; a competition contested between AustraliaAustralian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
, New Zealand
New Zealand cricket team
The New Zealand cricket team, nicknamed the Black Caps, are the national cricket team representing New Zealand. They played their first in 1930 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand, becoming the fifth country to play Test cricket. It took the team until 1955–56 to win a Test, against the...
and England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
, with all games being played in Australia. The hosts and England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
made it through to the finals. This meant that of Nixon's first ten One Day International, six were against Australia
Australian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
.
Nixon made an appearance with the bat in each match with a top score of 11 not out. The other five innings brought 0, 9, 4, 4 and 6 runs. This gave him an average of 6.8 against the one-day champions.
However, tight keeping and infamous banter from behind the stumps helped England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
to a surprise series win. He caught eight Australian batsmen off a range of bowling, and helped run out Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist
Adam Craig Gilchrist AM , nicknamed "Gilly" or "Churchy", is an Australian international cricketer who currently captains Kings XI Punjab and recently captained Middlesex. He is an attacking left-handed batsman and record-breaking wicket-keeper, who redefined the role for the Australian national...
with Liam Plunkett
Liam Plunkett
Liam Edward Plunkett is an English cricketer, who plays for Durham and England. In the 2005 season he was Durham's leading first-class wicket-taker, with 51 wickets at a bowling average of 30.84, including eight for 88 in his first game of the season against Leicestershire.-Test cricket:Plunkett...
in the third encounter between the two sides.
Nixon was to be remembered, regardless of any other achievement, as he was dismissed by Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath
Glenn Donald McGrath AM , nicknamed "Pigeon", is a former Australian cricket player. He is one of the most highly regarded fast-medium pace bowlers in cricketing history, and a leading contributor to Australia's domination of world cricket from the mid-1990s to the early 21st century...
, with what was the Australian bowler's last ball in cricket at the SCG
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
.
Australia
Australian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
were again the opposition for England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
in the third match of the Super Eight
Super Eight
For information on the second round of the Cricket World Cup, see Super 8 .For the film format, see Super 8 mm film.The Super Eight is the name of the Massachusetts hockey tournament that determines the state champion. The tournament is technically called the Division IA tournament. Both public and...
stage of the 2007 Cricket World Cup
2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
. Australia
Australian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
ran out winners by 7 wickets, with Nixon hitting 8 after joining the batting action late on in the innings. Despite having an overall one-day batting average of 19.8 at this point, Nixon's average against Australia
Australian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
was just 7, demonstrating the significant contributions made against other opposition.
50+ partnerships
He has earned a reputation as a player with an ability to forge partnerships with other men lower down the order, and to move the score along later in the innings, without taking undue risks.- 30 January 2007 v. New Zealand, partnership of 76 off 9.2 overs, with Liam PlunkettLiam PlunkettLiam Edward Plunkett is an English cricketer, who plays for Durham and England. In the 2005 season he was Durham's leading first-class wicket-taker, with 51 wickets at a bowling average of 30.84, including eight for 88 in his first game of the season against Leicestershire.-Test cricket:Plunkett...
(25*), contributing 42 - 16 March 2007 v. New Zealand, partnership of 71 off 11.4 overs, with Liam PlunkettLiam PlunkettLiam Edward Plunkett is an English cricketer, who plays for Durham and England. In the 2005 season he was Durham's leading first-class wicket-taker, with 51 wickets at a bowling average of 30.84, including eight for 88 in his first game of the season against Leicestershire.-Test cricket:Plunkett...
(29*), contributing 40 - 4 April 2007 v. Sri Lanka, partnership of 87 off 15.2 overs, with Ravi Bopara (52), contributing 42
- 21 April 2007 v. West Indies, partnership of 80 off 10.3 overs, with Kevin PietersenKevin PietersenKevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
(100), contributing 18
Summer Series 2007
On 26 April 2007, Nixon was named as one of two wicket keepers (along with Matt Prior) in the 25 man performance squad for the summer series against the West Indies and India. Following his solid performances in the 2007 Cricket World Cup2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
, Nixon was rewarded with a place in the squad, ahead of the two keepers selected for the Ashes series: Geraint Jones
Geraint Jones
Geraint Owen Jones MBE is an England cricketer of Welsh extraction but raised in Australia. Until August 2006 he was the first-choice wicketkeeper for England in both Test and One-day cricket, but fell behind Chris Read, Paul Nixon, Matt Prior and Tim Ambrose...
and Chris Read
Chris Read
Christopher Mark Wells Read is an English cricketer, a wicket-keeper who is the captain of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club...
. Chairman of selectors, David Graveney
David Graveney
David Anthony Graveney OBE is a leading figure in English cricket and former chairman of the England Test selectors, a post he held from 1997 until 2008. Graveney attended Millfield School in Somerset....
, said, "The wicket-keeping position remains a competitive area - Paul Nixon and Matt Prior have been included in the squad but will be aware that they face strong competition from keepers outside of the squad." Inclusion in the squad gave Nixon the chance to extend his England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
career. Ultimately, Matt Prior was selected as wicket-keeper for the First Test against the West Indies, despite Nixon contributing significantly with the bat during the early stages of the season for Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
.
However, Nixon was selected as wicket-keeper for the England Lions team facing the West Indies before the tourists' one-day series against England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
. Nixon, along with a number of other fringe players, saw the selection as an opportunity to push for a place in the senior squad. He said, "After the World Cup I thought I might not get another call-up to be honest, especially with the change of management, and Matt Prior has done so well since he came in."
Unfortunately for Paul, he was not named in the squad for the series against the West Indies, as Prior kept his position.
Group Stage
In EnglandEnglish cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
's first 2007 Cricket World Cup
2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
match against New Zealand on 16 March 2007, he again shared an excellent stand with Liam Plunkett
Liam Plunkett
Liam Edward Plunkett is an English cricketer, who plays for Durham and England. In the 2005 season he was Durham's leading first-class wicket-taker, with 51 wickets at a bowling average of 30.84, including eight for 88 in his first game of the season against Leicestershire.-Test cricket:Plunkett...
- this time of 71 - to boost the total to 209. He ended the innings 42 not out, hitting five 4s having faced 41 balls. This stand turned out to be the best eighth wicket partnership in the whole of the competition. In New Zealand's reply, Nixon caught Lou Vincent
Lou Vincent
Lou Vincent is a professional New Zealand cricketer. He has represented New Zealand in Test match, One Day International and Twenty20 International cricket as well as playing for Auckland in New Zealand domestic cricket and Worcestershire and Lancashire in English domestic cricket.-Early and...
off the bowling of James Anderson
James Anderson (cricketer)
James Michael "Jimmy" Anderson is an English cricketer. He plays first-class cricket for Lancashire County Cricket Club and since bursting onto the scene in 2002/03, before his first full season of county cricket, Anderson has represented England in over 50 Test matches and over 100 One Day...
as the opener was dismissed for 0. Despite being 2-2 at one stage, the Kiwi's eventually won by 6 wickets, with Scott Styris
Scott Styris
Scott Bernardo Styris is an Australian-born New Zealand cricketer. An allrounder, Styris is an aggressive right-handed middle order batsman and a right-arm medium pace bowler....
and Jacob Oram
Jacob Oram
Jacob David Philip Oram is a New Zealand cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler. His abilities with both bat and ball has made him a regular fixture in the current New Zealand International sides...
both hitting unbeaten half centuries.
On 18 March, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
took on Canada
Canadian cricket team
The Canada cricket team is the national cricket team representing Canada in men's international competition. It is run by Cricket Canada.While Canada is not sanctioned to play Test matches, the team does take part in One Day International matches and also in first-class games against other...
and Nixon hit 23 off just 8 balls, a knock which included four 4s and a 6 - a strike rate of just under 288. This helped his side accumulate 279. In their innings, Canada
Canadian cricket team
The Canada cricket team is the national cricket team representing Canada in men's international competition. It is run by Cricket Canada.While Canada is not sanctioned to play Test matches, the team does take part in One Day International matches and also in first-class games against other...
were chasing England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
's total with remarkable confidence, when Nixon stumped star performer Asif Mulla
Asif Mulla
Asif Abdulhai Mulla is an Indian-born Canadian cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a wicketkeeper.He made his One Day International debut for Canada in Potchefstroom against the Netherlands in 2006–07, although he had previously played for the USA's under 16 side.-External links:* from...
who was on 58, off the bowling of Ravi Bopara. A certain amount of momentum was lost as a result, as the Canadians succumbed to a 51 run defeat.
Six days later, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
beat Kenya
Kenyan cricket team
The Kenya national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Kenya in international cricket matches. They are considered one of the strongest of the associate member nations of the International Cricket Council, especially since reaching the semi-final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup...
by 7 wickets, although Nixon was not required to bat.
Super Eight Stage
In EnglandEnglish cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
's first Super Eight
Super Eight
For information on the second round of the Cricket World Cup, see Super 8 .For the film format, see Super 8 mm film.The Super Eight is the name of the Massachusetts hockey tournament that determines the state champion. The tournament is technically called the Division IA tournament. Both public and...
match against Ireland, Nixon contributed a useful 19 off 15 deliveries, hitting a 4 and a 6 along the way, accelerating the team's total to 266. Much like Canada
Canadian cricket team
The Canada cricket team is the national cricket team representing Canada in men's international competition. It is run by Cricket Canada.While Canada is not sanctioned to play Test matches, the team does take part in One Day International matches and also in first-class games against other...
in the Group Stage, Ireland were steadily chipping away at England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
's total, when Nixon again disrupted momentum with a stumping - this time nabbing Niall O'Brien
Niall O'Brien (cricketer)
Niall John O'Brien is an Irish cricketer educated at Marian College, Ballsbridge. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. O'Brien's brother Kevin plays with him in the Irish team...
off Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan
Michael Paul Vaughan OBE is a retired cricketer who represented Yorkshire and England. A classically elegant right-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner, Vaughan was ranked one of the best batsmen in the world following the 2002/3 Ashes, in which he scored 633 runs, including three centuries...
's bowling, for 63. Ultimately, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
won by 48 runs.
On 4 April, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
were up against Sri Lanka, and struggling at 133-6, chasing 236 to win. Nixon came to the crease and crashed 42 off just 44 deliveries, with two 4s and a superb 6, sharing an 87 run partnership with Ravi Bopara off just 15.2 overs, before skying a Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Separamadu Lasith Malinga is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a fast bowler with a rare round-arm action, sometimes referred to as a sling action, which leads to his nickname, "Slinga Malinga"...
delivery to Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene
Denagamage Proboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene , known as Mahela Jayawardene, is the former captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. He is a specialist batsman who has a Test average of over 50, and an ODI average in the 30s...
. This turned out to be the best seventh wicket partnership of the whole competition. His 6 came in the form of a fantastic reverse sweep off the bowling of Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan , often referred to as Murali, is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who was rated the greatest Test match bowler ever by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 2002...
. Renowned as one of the best players of the shot, Nixon remarked after the match, "I've probably hit 20 sixes like that in county cricket - if I get my timing right, it's going to go out of the ground". He had taken England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
to the brink of victory, having arrived at the crease with the team all but defeated. Bopara was left with the task of hitting 3 runs off the last delivery, but was clean bowled by Dilhara Fernando
Dilhara Fernando
Congenige Randhi Dilhara Fernando is a cricketer who plays for Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed pace bowler.Dilhara studied at De Mazenod College Kandana...
, as Sri Lanka sneaked a 2 run victory. After this innings, Nixon had a World Cup
2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
average of 63 - second highest in the England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
team to Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
, but still better than renowned big hitters Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
and Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff
Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff MBE is a former English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club, England and the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings. A tall fast bowler, batsman and slip fielder, Flintoff according to the ICC rankings was consistently rated amongst the top...
. The figure placed him in the top twenty batsmen - in terms of average - at the World Cup
2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
at this stage, ahead of fellow wicket keepers, Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum
Brendon Barrie McCullum is a New Zealand international cricketer, who plays for the Otago Volts at provincial level. He is a wicket-keeper, as well as an aggressive batsman who opens in One-day Internationals and is known for his fast scoring rate...
, Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist
Adam Craig Gilchrist AM , nicknamed "Gilly" or "Churchy", is an Australian international cricketer who currently captains Kings XI Punjab and recently captained Middlesex. He is an attacking left-handed batsman and record-breaking wicket-keeper, who redefined the role for the Australian national...
, Mark Boucher
Mark Boucher
Mark Verdon Boucher is a South African cricketer, who holds the record for the most Test dismissals by a wicket-keeper. He was educated at Selborne College and has represented Border, Africa XI, ICC World XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders of the Indian Premier League, and...
and Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is a Sri Lankan, Sinhalese cricketer and the former captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team. He is a left-handed top-order batsman...
.
On 8 April, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
faced Australia
Australian cricket team
The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
in the third match of the Super Eight
Super Eight
For information on the second round of the Cricket World Cup, see Super 8 .For the film format, see Super 8 mm film.The Super Eight is the name of the Massachusetts hockey tournament that determines the state champion. The tournament is technically called the Division IA tournament. Both public and...
stage of the competition. Electing to bat first, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
posted 247, with Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
hitting 104 before attacking a Nathan Bracken
Nathan Bracken
Nathan Wade Bracken is a former Australian cricketer. A tall left-arm fast-medium bowler, Bracken is capable of swinging the ball both ways. He has represented Australia in all forms of the game...
delivery, but only succeeding in playing the ball into the hands of Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke (cricketer)
Michael John Clarke is an Australian cricketer. He was appointed captain of the Test and ODI teams on 30 March 2011. Nicknamed 'Pup', he is a right-handed batsman, and occasional left-arm orthodox spin bowler...
. Nixon came in to bat towards the end of the innings, hit a Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath
Glenn Donald McGrath AM , nicknamed "Pigeon", is a former Australian cricket player. He is one of the most highly regarded fast-medium pace bowlers in cricketing history, and a leading contributor to Australia's domination of world cricket from the mid-1990s to the early 21st century...
delivery for six, before the bowler got his revenge and had him caught for 8 by Brad Hodge
Brad Hodge
Bradley John Hodge is an Australian and Victorian cricketer. He attended St Bede's College in Mentone, Victoria. He is a right hand batsman who bats in the middle order, as well as a part time right arm off spin bowler....
. It was evident after this performance that England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
were finding difficulty in capitalising on good starts, and that a number of key players were struggling to find form. Nixon's World Cup
2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
average dipped to 44.66 after five innings (two unbeaten) and 134 runs. Only Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
, Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
, Ian Bell and Ed Joyce
Ed Joyce
Edmund Christopher Joyce is an Irish cricketer who has played for both the Irish and English national cricket teams. After beginning his career with Middlesex, he moved to Sussex in 2009. A left-handed batsman and occasional right-arm bowler of medium pace, Joyce is widely regarded as one of the...
had hit more runs at this stage, although all bar Joyce
Ed Joyce
Edmund Christopher Joyce is an Irish cricketer who has played for both the Irish and English national cricket teams. After beginning his career with Middlesex, he moved to Sussex in 2009. A left-handed batsman and occasional right-arm bowler of medium pace, Joyce is widely regarded as one of the...
had batted an innings more. Ravi Bopara had also hit over 100 runs at this point, and out of these six players, Nixon was the only one not to have hit at least 50 in a single innings. This further identified Nixon as a player with an ability to consistently contribute a substantial amount of runs, when with the right batting partner, usually lower down the order.
England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
's fourth Super Eight
Super Eight
For information on the second round of the Cricket World Cup, see Super 8 .For the film format, see Super 8 mm film.The Super Eight is the name of the Massachusetts hockey tournament that determines the state champion. The tournament is technically called the Division IA tournament. Both public and...
game was against Bangladesh, who had proven themselves to be tricky opposition, having beaten South Africa in their previous match. However, the Tiger's were bowled out for just 143, with Sajid Mahmood
Sajid Mahmood
Sajid "Saj" Iqbal Mahmood is an English cricketer of Pakistani descent...
and Monty Panesar
Monty Panesar
Mudhsuden Singh Panesar, known as Monty Panesar , is an English cricketer who currently plays for Sussex. A left-arm spinner, Panesar played Test and one-day cricket for England until 2009. In English county cricket he played for Northamptonshire until 2009...
each taking three wickets. Nixon took two catches, both off the bowling of James Anderson
James Anderson (cricketer)
James Michael "Jimmy" Anderson is an English cricketer. He plays first-class cricket for Lancashire County Cricket Club and since bursting onto the scene in 2002/03, before his first full season of county cricket, Anderson has represented England in over 50 Test matches and over 100 One Day...
. In the chase, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
struggled, crumbling to 110-6, with an awkward 34 still needed for victory. Nixon, along with Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
, slowly but surely chipped away at the total and took England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
to a four wicket win. Nixon finished on 20 not out, hitting a 4 and a 6 along the way. He faced 39 deliveries, compared to Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
's 74, for 23 runs. This crucial partnership of 37 kept their nation's World Cup
2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
dream alive. This knock took Nixon's average in the competition to 51.33, bettered in the England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
team only by the stalwart Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
and the expansive Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
.
England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
next faced South Africa in a match akin to a decider for which team was to progress to the semi finals. England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
batted first and were 119-6 when Nixon came to the crease, with Ravi Bopara at the other end. After making 1, he was dismissed off the bowling of Andrew Hall
Andrew Hall
Andrew James Hall is a South African cricketer and a former member of the South African cricket team . He is an all-rounder who bowls fast-medium pace, and has been used as both an opening batsman and in the lower order. Prior to making it on the South African first class cricket scene he played...
, caught by Mark Boucher
Mark Boucher
Mark Verdon Boucher is a South African cricketer, who holds the record for the most Test dismissals by a wicket-keeper. He was educated at Selborne College and has represented Border, Africa XI, ICC World XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders of the Indian Premier League, and...
, as his team was eventually bowled out for 154, with Hall
Andrew Hall
Andrew James Hall is a South African cricketer and a former member of the South African cricket team . He is an all-rounder who bowls fast-medium pace, and has been used as both an opening batsman and in the lower order. Prior to making it on the South African first class cricket scene he played...
taking 5-18 - the best ever figures for a South African at a World Cup
Cricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men's One Day International cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council , with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years...
. In South Africa's reply, they were 37-0 off four overs, compared to England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
's total of 5-0 at the same stage in their innings. England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
finally made a breakthrough in the 10th over, as Nixon caught Abraham de Villiers
Abraham de Villiers
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers more commonly known by his initials AB is a South African cricketer and captain of the South African cricket team, having succeeded Graeme Smith after the 2011 Cricket World Cup for ODIs and T20 Internationals...
for 42 off the bowling of Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff
Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff MBE is a former English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club, England and the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings. A tall fast bowler, batsman and slip fielder, Flintoff according to the ICC rankings was consistently rated amongst the top...
, but South Africa already had 85 on the board. In the end, the Proteas won by nine wickets, taking just over 19 overs to knock off England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
's total, with captain Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith
Graeme Craig Smith is a South African cricketer and captain of the South African cricket team Test Match side, having succeeded Shaun Pollock after the 2003 Cricket World Cup...
firing an unbeaten 89 off 58 deliveries, to send England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
crashing out of the competition.
Of the loss against South Africa, and England's
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
exit from the competition, Nixon said, "Colly and Strauss were going well, but we lost the whole middle order quickly. I felt good off the first ball, then just pushed at one second ball and got a feather to the wicketkeeper - just when you want a play and miss, but sadly not. People must remember that we are the second least-experienced side here, only Ireland have fewer caps. For me, I was desperate to win, because I know I will never have another go."
Lastly, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
played the West Indies, in what was Brian Lara
Brian Lara
Brian Charles Lara, TC, OCC, AM is a former West Indian international cricket player. Lara is generally regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time...
's last international match. He was absurdly run out for 18, but the hosts still went on to compile 300 with Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle
Christopher Henry "Chris" Gayle is a Jamaican cricketer who currently plays international cricket for the West Indies. He captained the West Indies' side from 2007 to 2010. He plays domestic cricket for Jamaica, and has also represented Worcestershire, the Western Warriors and the Kolkata Knight...
, Devon Smith
Devon Smith
Devon Sheldon Smith is a cricketer who represents the West Indies. His primary role within the team is as an opening or top order left-handed batsman, he has bowled right arm off breaks in his career but rarely at international level. In the West Indian domestic competitions he plays for the...
and Marlon Samuels
Marlon Samuels
Marlon Nathaniel Samuels is a West Indian cricketer. Samuels made his Test debut in Australia in 2000, and his One Day International debut against Sri Lanka in Nairobi during the ICC Knockout Trophy in the same year....
all hitting half centuries. Nixon took one catch - Ramnaresh Sarwan
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Ramnaresh Ronnie Sarwan is a West Indian cricketer of Indo-Guyanese origin and a member of the West Indies cricket team....
off the bowling of Liam Plunkett
Liam Plunkett
Liam Edward Plunkett is an English cricketer, who plays for Durham and England. In the 2005 season he was Durham's leading first-class wicket-taker, with 51 wickets at a bowling average of 30.84, including eight for 88 in his first game of the season against Leicestershire.-Test cricket:Plunkett...
. In reply, England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
had Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan
Michael Paul Vaughan OBE is a retired cricketer who represented Yorkshire and England. A classically elegant right-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner, Vaughan was ranked one of the best batsmen in the world following the 2002/3 Ashes, in which he scored 633 runs, including three centuries...
to thank for a fairly solid start, reaching 101 before losing a second wicket. However, a mid order collapse followed, as Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
, Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff
Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff MBE is a former English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club, England and the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings. A tall fast bowler, batsman and slip fielder, Flintoff according to the ICC rankings was consistently rated amongst the top...
and Jamie Dalrymple
Jamie Dalrymple
James William Murray "Jamie" Dalrymple is a Kenyan-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler....
all fell in quick succession. Nixon came to the crease with his side 189-6 and 112 runs still needed for victory. By picking the gaps and careful play, Nixon kept his score ticking along, whilst keeping his wicket intact. At the other end, Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
went on to record his second century of the competition, before being bowled by Jerome Taylor
Jerome Taylor
Jerome Everton Taylor is a Jamaican born West Indian cricketer. He led the fast bowling attack comprising Dwayne Bravo, Daren Powell and Ian Bradshaw at the World Cup...
. The two had put on 80 together - a crucial partnership in the circumstances, but 31 runs were still required. Liam Plunkett
Liam Plunkett
Liam Edward Plunkett is an English cricketer, who plays for Durham and England. In the 2005 season he was Durham's leading first-class wicket-taker, with 51 wickets at a bowling average of 30.84, including eight for 88 in his first game of the season against Leicestershire.-Test cricket:Plunkett...
came and went, and with three more runs needed, Nixon himself was bowled by Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne James John Bravo is a West Indian cricketer. A right-handed pace bowler, Bravo is expected to play a significant role in attempts by the West Indies to return to international prominence in the sport....
. His 38 (off 39 deliveries, with four 4s) was a vital contribution which helped bring England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
to the cusp of victory. Playing in his first match of the competition, Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad
Stuart Christopher John Broad is a cricketer who plays Test and One Day International cricket for England and is currently the captain of their Twenty20 team...
hit the winning runs to secure a morale boosting win for his side.
Of the match, Nixon said, "that was an amazing game of cricket. There was some tremendous batting from West Indies. We had to do something, we'd all talked about Duncan Fletcher and it means a lot for him. The lads paced the game so well. Michael Vaughan played beautifully, Kevin Pietersen came in and played magnificently and then the Leicestershire partnership finished it off."
After the match, a CricInfo
Cricinfo
ESPNcricinfo is believed to be the largest cricket-related website on the World Wide Web. Content includes news,articles, live scorecards,live text commentary and a comprehensive and searchable database called 'StatsGuru', of historical matches and players from the 18th century to the present...
article read, "the match pivoted round Paul Nixon. By smashing three bottom-handed fours through midwicket in the 48th over he made a seemingly impossible chase do-able."
On the prospect of playing in future competitions for England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
, Nixon remarked, "I still feel I could do a job at the next World Cup in 2011."
Statistics and Records
EnglandEnglish cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
finished fifth in the competition overall, although Nixon had proved one of the team's success stories. He remarked, "fifth at the World Cup is nowhere - but I have loved every minute and let's see what the future holds."
Nixon finished the tournament with an average of 38.6, having scored 193 runs. This was the third highest in the England team
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
, behind Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
and Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood
Paul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
. He was the only English batsman to score over 100 runs without hitting over 50 in a single innings.
After facing 194 balls, he had a strike rate of 99.48, hitting seventeen 4s and five 6s. This was the 10th highest strike rate of any player at the World Cup
2007 Cricket World Cup
The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format...
. Of those batsmen that batted more than 3 times in the competition, he ended up with the 6th highest strike rate. He also recorded the fifth highest strike rate of any England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
player in any innings in the competition, with his 42* off 41 balls against New Zealand - a strike rate of 102.43. Nixon made two more knocks with strike rates over 95, against West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Nixon was involved in four of the best England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
partnerships:
- 6th wicket partnership of 51 with Paul CollingwoodPaul CollingwoodPaul David Collingwood MBE is an English cricketer. He has been a regular member of the England Test side, was captain of the One Day International team 2007–2008. He is also vice-captain of his county, Durham County Cricket Club. Collingwood is a batting all-rounder, whose batting...
against Ireland - 7th wicket partnership of 87 with Ravi Bopara against Sri Lanka
- 8th wicket partnership of 71 with Liam PlunkettLiam PlunkettLiam Edward Plunkett is an English cricketer, who plays for Durham and England. In the 2005 season he was Durham's leading first-class wicket-taker, with 51 wickets at a bowling average of 30.84, including eight for 88 in his first game of the season against Leicestershire.-Test cricket:Plunkett...
against New Zealand - 9th wicket partnership of 27 with Stuart BroadStuart BroadStuart Christopher John Broad is a cricketer who plays Test and One Day International cricket for England and is currently the captain of their Twenty20 team...
against West Indies
Nixon had the 34th highest average of all of the players to have taken part - notably one place above Brian Lara
Brian Lara
Brian Charles Lara, TC, OCC, AM is a former West Indian international cricket player. Lara is generally regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time...
. He was the second highest placed wicket keeper - in terms of average - behind Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist
Adam Craig Gilchrist AM , nicknamed "Gilly" or "Churchy", is an Australian international cricketer who currently captains Kings XI Punjab and recently captained Middlesex. He is an attacking left-handed batsman and record-breaking wicket-keeper, who redefined the role for the Australian national...
who moved ahead of the England
English cricket team
The England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
man after his astounding 149 in the final.
| Rank | Name | Played | Runs | Top Score | Average | 50 | 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Stephen Fleming Stephen Fleming Stephen Paul Fleming ONZM is a New Zealand cricketer, and the former captain of the New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, in Test and one-day cricket... |
10 | 353 | 102* | 39.22 | 3 | 1 |
| 34 | Paul Nixon | 9 | 193 | 42* | 38.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | Brian Lara Brian Lara Brian Charles Lara, TC, OCC, AM is a former West Indian international cricket player. Lara is generally regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time... |
9 | 269 | 77 | 38.42 | 1 | 0 |
He finished with 9 dismissals - 7 catches and 2 stumpings, which placed him joint fifth in the wicket keeper dismissal rankings.
Career
| Opposition | Played | Won | Runs | Top Score | Average | 50 | Catches | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Australian cricket team The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877... |
7 | 3 | 42 | 11* | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| New Zealand New Zealand cricket team The New Zealand cricket team, nicknamed the Black Caps, are the national cricket team representing New Zealand. They played their first in 1930 against England in Christchurch, New Zealand, becoming the fifth country to play Test cricket. It took the team until 1955–56 to win a Test, against the... |
5 | 2 | 112 | 49 | 28 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Canada Canadian cricket team The Canada cricket team is the national cricket team representing Canada in men's international competition. It is run by Cricket Canada.While Canada is not sanctioned to play Test matches, the team does take part in One Day International matches and also in first-class games against other... |
1 | 1 | 23 | 23* | ||||
| 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||
| Kenya Kenyan cricket team The Kenya national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Kenya in international cricket matches. They are considered one of the strongest of the associate member nations of the International Cricket Council, especially since reaching the semi-final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup... |
1 | 1 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Ireland | 1 | 1 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sri Lanka | 1 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 1 | 20 | 20* | ||||
| 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| West Indies | 1 | 1 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 19 | 10 | 297 | 49 | 21.21 | 0 | 20 | 3 |
Break - down
| Series | Played | Won | Runs | Top Score | Average | 50 | Catches | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Bank Series | 10 | 5 | 104 | 49 | 11.55 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| 2007 World Cup 2007 Cricket World Cup The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sport's One Day International format... |
9 | 5 | 193 | 42 | 38.6 | 0 | 7 | 2 |