Ian Nicolson causing a stir in England

Posted by brmtaylor.com admin on May 11, 2008

The Halifax Courier reports that former Zimbabwe under-19 star Ian Nicolson has been the cause of a complaint made to the local Towergate Halifax League in England. Nicolson has been said to be "too good" for the English league.

Nicolson last played top level cricket for Southerns during the Metropolitan Bank Twenty20 tournament 2 months ago, a match in which he conceded over 15 runs per over at the hands of Brendan Taylor (85* from 60) and Elton Chigumbura (62 from 30). He has also played a lot of First Class cricket for North West province in South Africa in the SAA Provincial tournament, and Midlands in the Logan Cup. From 11 matches, he has taken 27 wickets at an expensive rate of 4.67 runs per over.

Blackley club captain, David Townsend, compained to league officials after Nicolson took 7/35 against his team, who were all out for 56. Supposed to be an all-amateur league, Nicolson has been since cleared to play considering he has not been a paid professional in the past 2 years and holds a valid British passport. Keith Goulden, the assistant secretary of the league, explained that Nicolson paid his own air fare to England so he could play cricket.

Townsend complained that his supposedly strong batting lineup could not handle the raw pace of Ian Nicolson, bowling at 130 kmh.

Nicolson's club, Luddenden Foot, scored 108 batting first, and defeated Blackley by 52 runs. Chris Whipp backed Nicolson up well, with 3/17.

Also in England on the club scene at the moment are stars Terry Duffin, Ryan Butterworth, Craig Ervine, Douglas Hondo and Piet Rinke.