Nathan Rimmington

A right-arm fast bowler, Nathan Rimmington made his first-class debut in 2005-06 when Michael Kasprowicz was re-launched into the Test squad. He didn't pick up a wicket, but things improved the following season, especially in Twenty20. On New Year's Day 2007 he became the first to take a hat-trick in the competition, finishing with the extremely impressive figures of 5 for 27, and was the equal leading wicket-taker overall. After struggling with injury at the start of that summer, he got three more Pura Cup chances and an ING Cup debut, taking a total of three victims. The 2007-08 summer was a write-off due to a serious hip problem - the bone was shaved during surgery - and he was forced into a long rehabilitation.

Things were much brighter in 2008-09 when he showed he could be a force in the limited-overs arena. He was part of Queensland's surge to the FR Cup title, capturing 4 for 40 in the decider after being included on the final morning, and captured nine wickets in three games. He also led the state's wicket list in the Twenty20 and appeared in two Sheffield Shield contests. In 2009-10 he continued to grow, claiming 15 FR Cup wickets at 27.13, and another eight in the Big Bash. The highlight was a hat-trick against Western Australia at the Gabba, which made him the first player to achieve the feat in 50-over and Twenty20 games.

A move to Western Australia followed, where he enjoyed a successful Shield career between 2011 and 2016. Rimmington also developed into a handy Big Bash League performer, playing for Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades, and spending time in the UK on overseas contracts with Hampshire and Derbyshire. In 2018 he joined Durham as locally qualified, making use of a British passport, where he linked up with former WA team-mate Marcus North. He enjoyed two productive seasons in the northeast, taking regular wickets in the Blast and Championship as well as scoring 92 as nightwatchman to help Durham to a come-from-behind win at Leicestershire, and signed a new one-year deal for 2020.

Rimmington, whose sister Rikki-Lee plays for the Queensland Fire, was the Peter Burge Medal winner in 2003-04 and attended the Academy in 2005.
ESPNcricinfo staff