Rob Nicol

Robert James Nicol (born 28 May 1983 in Auckland) is a New Zealand cricketer who has played first-class, List A and Twenty20 matches for Auckland and Canterbury. Nicol has also played in all forms of international cricket for New Zealand including 2 test matches, both against South Africa.

Playing Career

Rob Nicol started off playing for Auckland and played for the Aces for 8 seasons his best spell in 2002-03 where he scored over 600 runs. He then moved to Canterbury in 2009, scoring over 500 runs in his first season. His performances for the Wizards brought him to the notice of the New Zealand selectors, who selected him for the Twenty 20 squad.

He made his debut in one day internationals in 2011, and to date has been a regular in the New Zelaand side ever since. Selectors rewarded him with a place in the test team in the home series against South Africa, but he found runs difficult to come by and has only played 2 Tests to date. He played in the World Twenty20 in the Sri Lanka in 2012.

Previously played at Hitchin Cricket Club in Hertfordshire as the overseas player in 2009 and 2010 before joining up with the Kiwis in West Indies. Broke the Saracens Hertfordshire Division 1 total season runs and largest innings at 201 not out against Knebworth Park CC. A right-handed batsman and bowls right arm off spin.^[1]

Nicol enjoyed a spell in English county cricket playing for Gloucestershire in July 2012 as a replacement for fellow countryman Kane Williamson as part of the deal Gloucestershire coach John Bracewell set up with the New Zealand Cricket Board where young Kiwi cricketers join Gloucs for experience.^[2]

ODI debut

Nicol had a wonderful ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 2011 at Harare. Chasing 232 to win, the New Zealand openers Nicol and Martin Guptill first sent the Black Caps to a flyer as they crossed 50 runs in just 6 overs. After that, he went on to score 108 not out, a brilliant century that included 11 fours.^[3] By the process, he became the seventh batsman ever and the second New Zealander (after his fellow opener in the match, Martin Guptill) to score a century on ODI debut. The previous batsmen to achieve this feat were Dennis Amiss, Desmond Haynes, Andy Flower, Saleem Elahi, Martin Guptill, and Colin Ingram.^[4] He was acknowledged the man of the match for his debut century, thus becoming the 50th player to be named Man of the Match on ODI debut.

Career best performances

as of 14 December 2012

References

External links

• Cricinfo profile

v t e New Zealand squad – 2010 ICC World Twenty20 1 Vettori (c) 2 Bond 3 Butler 4 Guptill 5 Hopkins 6 B. McCullum 7 N. McCullum 8 Mills 9 Nicol 10 Oram 11 Redmond 12 Ryder 13 Southee 14 Styris 15 Taylor Coach: Greatbatch

v t e New Zealand squad – 2012 ICC World Twenty20 3 Taylor (C) 11 Vettori 15 N. McCullum 20 Milne 22 Williamson 24 Oram 28 Nicol 31 Guptill 34 Bracewell 36 Hira 37 Mills 38 Southee 42 B. McCullum 47 Watling 70 Franklin Coach: Hesson