Nicholson named New South Wales selector

Matthew Nicholson, the former New South Wales fast bowler, will stay involved with the state after being named a selector for the 2008-09 season. Nicholson, 33, retired from New South Wales shortly before the state's Pura Cup triumph last summer, when several international bowlers returned to the side for the final.

He is currently playing county cricket with Surrey and will retire from the first-class arena completely when the 2008 season comes to a close. However, Nicholson is planning to continue playing club cricket in Sydney.

Nicholson replaces the former selector Mark Patterson, who has resigned due to business commitments. He joins Steve Smith, Marshall Rosen, Greg Hartshorne and the chairman of selectors Brian Taber on the state panel.

Nicholson represented Australia in one Test in 1998-99, when he was playing with Western Australia. He returned to his home state of New South Wales in 2003-04 and enjoyed a couple of highly productive seasons while also finding success in England with Surrey and Northamptonshire.