Nixon targets Indian fairytale

Paul Nixon is aiming for a career finale in India after confirming that he will be available for the Champions League should Leicestershire qualify, by winning their Friends Life t20 semi-final against Lancashire on Saturday.

Nixon will end his 23-year professional career this season, but Finals Day at Edgbaston will not be his last appearance for Leicestershire if they reach the final. The winners of each semi-final will head to Hyderabad in September for the qualifying phase of the Champions League to try to earn a place in the full competition.

"I would definitely go, I would love to play in the Champions League and reach the final," he told ESPNcricinfo. "That's what the fairytale is all about. You've got to think, why can't it happen?"

Leicestershire earned their place at Finals Day with a memorable run-chase against Kent where Nixon played the match-winning hand with 31 off 17 balls in his last appearance at Grace Road. He was then hoisted onto the shoulders of jubilant supporters and carried around the outfield as he drank a pint in celebration and is aiming for similar scenes at Edgbaston.

"It's all about a mindset and a belief and we have that at Grace Road at the moment," he said. "We've started planning for the day and we are using all of our experience. Abdul Razzaq is with us now, so along with myself and Claude Henderson we have all won big tournaments before. I think we have a better balance this year especially in terms of our batsmen who can clear the ropes."

Nixon was one of the first players to scotch the notion that Twenty20 was a young man's game and was part of the Leicestershire team that led the way in the format by reaching the first four Final Days, winning the title in 2004 and 2006. "I love the game and Twenty20 is a new facet you have to adapt to," he said. "I've enjoyed and embraced the format and maybe it's helped my game as well."

Even if Nixon's dream finish doesn't materialise at Edgbaston and in India he isn't short of memories from a long career. He has also played for Kent and, at the age of 36, earned England recognition when he was called up for the CB Series in Australia following the 2006-07 Ashes whitewash and helped the team win the tournament.

"Winning any trophy is a pinnacle," he said. "Winning the first Championship title [in 1996] was amazing and very special. But getting picked for England is a dream and getting my cap off Michael Vaughan was probably the real high of my life."

Nixon lives for cricket so it is no surprise that he will remain heavily involved as a batting coach for Leicestershire - in the last couple of years he has already worked with the county's youngsters including James Taylor - and has ambitions to further his coaching career in the future.

"I'd love a role with England, but you have to grow into that," he said. "I've been very lucky to be around some world-class coaches and players. I started under Bobby Simpson who was immense and have also had Jack Birkenshaw, Tim Boon and John Wright. I've had some world-class knowledge, I just wish I'd put that to use earlier in my career."