Matt Nicholson's last game for Gordon- March 2009.
Gordon District Cricket Club | March 08, 2025
The final day of cricket for the 2008-2009 season for first grade, belonged to Matt Nicholson who retired from all cricket on that day. It was undoubtedly a sad day for Matt, the end of a stellar career that included a Test match for Australia, an Australia 'A' match against India, First class careers for NSW, Western Australia, Northamptonshire and Surrey and a grade career first with Gordon, a stint with Scarborough in the west and then a return to Gordon.
In total for Gordon Nicho has taken 242 wickets at an average of 17.66. This of course would have been considerably more except that he played many half seasons for Gordon during his career, except for his last season, Gordon due to representative duties.
With the final match of that season possibly slipping away and UNSW pushing for an unlikely victory, Nicho made that one last push from his mark, one last grimace from the pain in his knees and one lasts twist of his neck at delivery to take three wickets in his last three overs and put the match beyond doubt, just as he had done so many times before.
The Gordon club is greatly indebted to Nicho, he gave his all without question and supported his team mates at every corner. His work in coaching our younger players was exceptional, and the fast bowlers who worked with him in first grade, are much better players due to his influence. But it is not just the quicks who gained from his advice, his captaincy and leadership by example in both his batting and his bowling was exemplary.
Fortunately, Nicho has remained involved with the club since that time and our players have taken advantage of his wise counsel. He was awarded Life Membership at the July 2023-24 season Annual General meeting.
The first grade match started with Gordon batting on a track that we would probably have bowled on if we had won the toss, with Beau Casson and Cam Eccles starting brightly, picking up quick singles and running hard on a slower than normal outfield. They reached 56 before Cam was out to a well-made 33. Beau continued on hitting the ball to all parts of the ground and had solid partnerships with Reece Bombas (30) and James Packman (22) before he was caught for a fine 107 and a great way to finish the season for Beau, particularly in Nicho's last match.
The middle order and tail then continued on with quick runs and we finished with 9 for 280 off our 50 overs.
If there was any chance to squeeze into the semis we needed to get two bonus points by bowling out UNSW for under 140. Nicho and Dylan Connell opened the bowling and while we collected two wickets including Murray Creed, the UNSW bats started to consolidate with Mitchell Gowland playing a fine knock and eventually getting out for 99 near the end of play.
The wickets kept falling for Uni, however with 6 wickets down and 80 runs off the last ten overs needed there was still a chance, particularly with Gowland playing so well. The bowlers were in a bit of strife also as Beau had come down with cramps and Jules Stephenson with a leg strain which necessitated the bowling debut of Ben Garratt in first grade.
After going wicketless in his first two spells Nicho thought is was time to finish his career on a high and proceeded to collect three wickets including Gowland and finished with 3 for 38 with Uni all out for 221. Ben Garratt much to the delight of the team collected a wicket with another caught behind to Bevo. This meant a win with a bonus point.
First grade scores
Gordon 9 for 280 (Beau Casson 107, Cam Eccles 33, Reece Bombas 30) defeated UNSW 221 ( Matt Nicholson 3 for 38, Dylan Connell 2 for 29, Brendan McDonald 2 for 46, Ben Garratt 1 for 16
Matthew Nicholson – Australia, Australia A, New South Wales, Western Australia, Northamptonshire, Surrey, Scarborough, Gordon
First Class Record – 1996 – 2008
Bowling Mat Overs Runs Wkts Best Ave Econ 5w
Tests 1 25 115 4 3-56 28.75 4.60 0
First Class 124 3,894.3 12,147 406 7-62 29.91 3.11 11
List A 79 588.3 3,123 85 3-23 36.74 5.30 0
T20 24 76.1 608 28 3-12 21.71 7.98 0
Batting Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave 100 50
Tests 1 2 0 14 9 7.00 0 0
First Class 124 171 34 3,258 133 23.78 4 6
List A 79 47 15 485 57* 15.15 0 1
T20 24 9 4 76 20* 15.20 0 0
Gordon Record 1990-1996, 2003-2009
Bowling Seasons Overs Runs Wkts Best Ave Econ 5w
Gordon 12 1544 4,273 242 7-49 17.66 2.70 11
Batting Seasons Inns NO Runs HS Ave 100 50
Gordon 12 91 17 2,221 18 30.01 2 13
