Tony Nicholson
Encyclopedia
Anthony George "Tony" Nicholson (25 June 1938–4 November 1985) was an English
cricketer
: a medium-pace bowler who played county cricket
for Yorkshire
between 1962 and 1975. Of 403 matches at first-class
and List A level, only one — a game for MCC
against Scotland in 1963 — was not for Yorkshire.
Prior to joining the County club, he was a policeman in Southern Rhodesia.
Nicholson took 879 first-class wickets at an excellent average
of 19.75; writing many years later, James Lawton in the Independent
said that Nicholson "simply despised batsmen". He claimed 100 wickets in a season twice, in 1966 and 1967.
Despite his achievements, he never played for England, although he was selected for the 1964-65 tour of South Africa
but had to withdraw injured.
Nicholson's later career was dogged by ill health caused by blood clots in his leg. which contributed to his early death.
Although he never managed international recognition, Nicholson was highly rated by the Yorkshire public.
Indeed, the county's Players Association holds a Tony Nicholson Memorial Trophy in his honour. At a time when retirement was greeted with muted thanks by the Committee, Nicholson was paid the warmest possible tribute.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
cricketer
Cricketer
A cricketer is a person who plays the sport of cricket. Official and long-established cricket publications prefer the traditional word "cricketer" over the rarely used term "cricket player"....
: a medium-pace bowler who played county cricket
County cricket
County cricket is the highest level of domestic cricket in England and Wales. For the 2010 season, see 2010 English cricket season.-First-class counties:...
for 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....
between 1962 and 1975. Of 403 matches at first-class
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
and List A level, only one — a game for 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...
against Scotland in 1963 — was not for Yorkshire.
Prior to joining the County club, he was a policeman in Southern Rhodesia.
Nicholson took 879 first-class wickets at an excellent average
Bowling average
Bowling average is a statistic measuring the performance of bowlers in the sport of cricket.A bowler's bowling average is defined as the total number of runs conceded by the bowlers divided by the number of wickets taken by the bowler, so the lower the average the better. It is similar to earned...
of 19.75; writing many years later, James Lawton in the Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
said that Nicholson "simply despised batsmen". He claimed 100 wickets in a season twice, in 1966 and 1967.
Despite his achievements, he never played for England, although he was selected for the 1964-65 tour of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
but had to withdraw injured.
Nicholson's later career was dogged by ill health caused by blood clots in his leg. which contributed to his early death.
Although he never managed international recognition, Nicholson was highly rated by the Yorkshire public.
Indeed, the county's Players Association holds a Tony Nicholson Memorial Trophy in his honour. At a time when retirement was greeted with muted thanks by the Committee, Nicholson was paid the warmest possible tribute.