Nash Softly, Softly On Comeback Trail (27 Aug 1996)

From The Press August 27, 1996

Nash softly, softly on comeback trail

Bowler has mystery back injury

New Zealand pace bowler Dion Nash is taking a softly, softly approach in his comeback to cricket.

Nash, one of New Zealand`s most promising players, was hit by a mystery lower back injury during the West Indies tour which also sidelined him from the English county season where he was expected to play for Middlesex.

X-rays and scans revealed no structural damage but Nash was experiencing pain whenever he bowled and was told to take a complete two-month break.

Nash, 24, has just returned from holidaying in Europe and had his first connection with cricket at the New Zealand squad`s training camp at its high performance centre at Lincoln University this week.

"I`m just going to be easing back into things gently, not charging in. Hopefully things have healed."

"I want to see the right people and get the right advice."

Nash appeared briefly for Middlesex, where he was in the second season of a two-year contract, but the injury returned necessitating complete rest.

Nash said he had still been able to work on his basic fitness and hoped to build-up gradually from now.

It is possible Nash may spend more time under academy coach Dayle Hadlee`s guidance at Lincoln University as he works toward being available again. Nash was one of the players NZC recommended for contracting but needs to prove his fitness before that can happen.

He will need to be pain-free during the next two months to gain New Zealand team selection for its first assignment this season, a tour to Sharjah and Pakistan in November. That team is likely to be finalised in mid-September.

Nash earned the status of an overseas county professional following his 11-wicket match haul against England at Lord`s, backed by a half century on New Zealand`s tour in 1994.

He has played 14 tests and taken 44 wickets at 29.72 while making 236 runs at 15.73. At limited-over level Nash has appeared in 28 one-dayers taking 26 wickets at a run concession rate of 4.76.

Nash`s recent international career has been blighted by injury with a side strain forcing his return home early from South Africa two seasons ago. Then in his comeback test against the West Indies at Christchurch he broke a finger while fielding.

Last season Nash tore a shoulder muscle playing for Northern Districts and missed the home series against Zimbabwe before returning to the team for the World Cup and West Indies.

He posted his best one-day bowling figures of three for 26 against England in India but played only two one-dayers in West Indies before injury struck.

Copyright 1996 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd.

Source :: The Canterbury Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)