Paul Nixon

Infobox cricketer biography
playername = Paul Nixon
female =


country = England
fullname = Paul Andrew Nixon
nickname = Badger, Nico
living = true
dayofbirth = 21
monthofbirth = 10
yearofbirth = 1970
placeofbirth = Carlisle, Cumbria
countryofbirth = England
heightft = 6
heightinch = 0
heightm =
batting = Left-hand
bowling =
role = Wicket keeper
international = true
testdebutdate =
testdebutyear =
testdebutagainst =
testc

lasttestdate =
lasttestyear =
lasttestagainst =
odidebutdate = 12 January
odidebutyear = 2007
odidebutagainst = Australia
odic

lastodidate = 21 April
lastodiyear = 2007
lastodiagainst = West Indies
odishirt = 47
club1 = Leicestershire
year1 = 1989–1999 and 2003–present
clubnumber1 =
club2 = Kent
year2 = 2000–2002
deliveries = balls
club3 = MCC
year3 = 1999/2000
columns = 4
column1 = ODIs
matches1 = 19
runs1 = 297
bat avg1 = 21.21
100s/50s1 = 0/0
top score1 = 49
deliveries1 = 0
wickets1 = n/a
bowl avg1 = n/a
fivefor1 = n/a
tenfor1 = n/a
best bowling1 = n/a
catches/stumpings1 = 20/3
column2 = FC
matches2 = 310
runs2 = 12,001
bat avg2 = 33.71
100s/50s2 = 18/57
top score2 = 144*
deliveries2 = 75
wickets2 = 0
bowl avg2 = n/a
fivefor2 = n/a
tenfor2 = n/a
best bowling2 = n/a
catches/stumpings2 = 822/66
column3 = LA
matches3 = 376
runs3 = 6578
bat avg3 = 25.89
100s/50s3 = 1/29
top score3 = 101
deliveries3 = 3
wickets3 = 0
bowl avg3 = n/a
fivefor3 = n/a
tenfor3 = n/a
best bowling3 = n/a
catches/stumpings3 = 392/92
column4 = T20
matches4 = 41
runs4 = 724
bat avg4 = 25.85
100s/50s4 = 0/3
top score4 = 65
deliveries4 = 0
wickets4 = n/a
bowl avg4 = n/a
fivefor4 = n/a
tenfor4 = n/a
best bowling4 = n/a
catches/stumpings4 = 20/11
date = 6 November
year = 2007
source = http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/18023.html Cricinfo.com

Paul Andrew Nixon (born 21 October, 1970 in Carlisle) is an English cricket player who has played for Leicestershire, England, England A, MCC and Kent. [ [http://www.cricket-online.org/player.php?player_id=10944 Major Teams] from "www.cricket-online.org" ] He is a wicket-keeper and left-handed batsman.

tyle and personality

His energy and enthusiam behind the stumps along with his inventive batting technique have been hailed by many. Nixon has made the reverse sweep his own and is one of the few keepers to leave the stumps and dive in front of the ball when opposing batsmen attempt this stroke.

Since playing international cricket, Nixon has become renowned for his vibrant contributions vocally from behind the stumps. On the matter, Nixon remarked, "I've been doing it for 19 years and no one ever noticed before! It's not sledging mind. It's banter - like playing golf with a mate. I'm just trying to get 'em away from their concentration really." [ [http://sport.guardian.co.uk/smalltalk/story/0,,2029519,00.html Nixon on behind the stumps banter] comment from "www.guardian.co.uk" ]

On the last day of the 2006 season, Nixon was used as a declaration bowler against Essex. He was clubbed for 69 off five overs, whilst Darren Robinson, bowling at the other end, was hit for 117 off just 4.4 overs. Mark Pettini smashed 114 off just 29 deliveries, a knock including 11 sixes. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2006/9/12829/html/scorecard.stm Declaration bowler] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk"] According to a BBC report, they both served up "10 overs of utter rubbish - on agreement - to allow Mark Pettini the easiest century he will ever hit." [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/5373254.stm Declaration bowling report] from "www.bbc.co.uk"] This serves to demonstrate, if not Nixon's desire to force a result, that he is not a cricketer intent on playing for averages.

In October 2007, Nixon said that he would join the Indian Cricket League, joining fellow English cricketers, Darren Maddy and Vikram Solanki. He remarked, "This is an exciting opportunity, it is perfect timing. India is the mecca of cricket and Twenty20 interest is high due to the national team's success". [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/317889.html Indian Cricket League] from "www.cricinfo.com"]

County career

Paul Nixon made his first class debut in 1989 [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Leicestershire/Scorecards/51/51502.html Debut] from "www.cricketarchive.com" ] with Leicestershire and with them he won two Championship titles in 1996 and 1998.

He played for the club until 2000 when he decided to move to Kent. He spent 2 years playing for Kent but due to the emergence of Geraint Jones he was forced into returning to Leicestershire in 2003. During his second stint at Leicester, Nixon has scooped the Twenty20 cup twice and been a major component behind the Foxes success in this format reaching all of the finals days. He made a career best 144 not out against Northamptonshire in 2006. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Leicestershire/Scorecards/85/85967.html Career Best] from "www.cricketarchive.com" ]

In July 2007, it was announced that Nixon had been appointed captain of Leicestershire until the end of the county season. The wicket-keeper took over from Darren Robinson, whilst Jeremy Snape remained in control of the one-day side. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/leicestershire/6280216.stm Appointment as One-day captain] from "www.bbc.co.uk"] In August 2007, it was announced that Nixon would be the new club captain for all competitions, after signing a three year contract. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/leicestershire/6969971.stm Appointment as Club captain] from "www.bbc.co.uk"]

First Class Centuries

Nixon has eighteen first class centuries to his name, with sixteen for Leicestershire and two for Kent. On only two occasions has his team lost after he has scored a century. The first time was whilst playing for Kent against Warwickshire in August 2002, where he hit 103 and then 26, took three catches, made two stumpings, and bowled three balls for eight runs in the second innings, as Kent lost by 10 wickets. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/75/75194.html Kent v. Warwickshire] scorecard from "www.cricketarchive.com"] The second time was whilst playing for Leicestershire against Northamptonshire in September 2007, where he totalled 30 and 110, and pouched four catches, as his side lost by 177 runs. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/9/13971/html/scorecard.stm Leicestershire v. Northamptonshire] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk"]

International career

At the age of 36 he was surprisingly called into the squad for the 2007 triangular one-day tournament against Australia and New Zealand, as one of two keepers along with Chris Read. His closest opportunity to representing England prior to this came in 2000-01 when he was selected to tour Pakistan and Sri Lanka but did not replace the incumbent Alec Stewart as England's keeper. In July 2007, he was named in the provisional 30 man squad for the inaugral Twenty20 World Championship, to be held in South Africa, fighting for the wicket-keeper spot with Matt Prior. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6283258.stm Provisional 2007 Twenty20 World Championship Squad] from "www.bbc.co.uk"] However, when the actual fifteen man squad was announced in August, Matt Prior was chosen as wicket-keeper for the tournament. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6931889.stm Actual 2007 Twenty20 World Championship Squad] from "www.bbc.co.uk"]

International Twenty20 Debut

He made his international debut in a Twenty20 match against Australia on January 9, 2007, scoring 31 not out - hitting two 4s and a 6 off just 22 balls, stumping Mike Hussey and running out Michael Clarke with Paul Collingwood, as England slumped to a 77 run loss. [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/england/engine/match/249227.html First Twenty20 International] scorecard from "www.cricinfo.com"]

Limited overs international
batting first

batting first = Australia
score first innings = 5/221
overs first innings = 20
batting first highest scorer = Adam Gilchrist
batting first highest scorer initial form = AC Gilchrist
batting first highest score = 48
batting first highest score balls faced = 29
bowling first best bowler = Monty Panesar
bowling first best bowler initial form = MS Panesar
bowling first best figures = 2/40 (4)
batting second

batting second = England
score second innings = 9/144
overs second innings = 20
batting second highest scorer = Jamie Dalrymple
batting second highest scorer initial form = JWM Dalrymple
batting second highest score = 32
batting second highest score balls faced = 27
bowling second best bowler = Ben Hilfenhaus
bowling second best bowler initial form = BW Hilfenhaus
bowling second best figures = 2/16 (4)
winning team = Australia
win margin = 77 runs
stadium = Sydney Cricket Ground
city = Sydney
country = Australia
umpire1 = Peter Parker (umpire)
umpire1 initial form = PD Parker
umpire1 country = Australia
umpire1 country short form = Aus
umpire2 = Bob Parry
umpire2 initial form = RL Parry
umpire2 country = Australia
umpire2 country short form = Aus
MOTM = Cameron White
MOTM initial form = CL White
MOTM country = Australia
MOTM ctry short form = Aus

ODI Debut

His first one-day call up came three days later, as England took on Australia in the first match of the Commonwealth Bank Series. Despite being dismissed for 0, he did catch Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden off the bowling of Jamie Dalrymple and Monty Panesar respectively, but despite this, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke each recorded unbeaten half centuries to complete an 8 wicket win for their side. [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/england/engine/match/249232.html First ODI] scorecard from "www.cricinfo.com" ]

Limited overs international
batting first

batting first = England
score first innings = 8/242
overs first innings = 50
batting first highest scorer = Kevin Pietersen
batting first highest scorer initial form = KP Pietersen
batting first highest score = 82
batting first highest score balls faced = 91
bowling first best bowler = Nathan Bracken
bowling first best bowler initial form = NW Bracken
bowling first best figures = 3/46 (9)
batting second

batting second = Australia
score second innings = 2/246
overs second innings = 45.2
batting second highest scorer = Ricky Ponting
batting second highest scorer initial form = RT Ponting
batting second highest score = 82*
batting second highest score balls faced = 96
bowling second best bowler = Jamie Dalrymple
bowling second best bowler initial form = JWM Dalrymple
bowling second best figures = 1/38 (10)
winning team = Australia
win margin = 8 wickets
stadium = Melbourne Cricket Ground
city = Melbourne
country = Australia
umpire1 = Ian Howell
umpire1 initial form = IL Howell
umpire1 country = South Africa
umpire1 country short form = SA
umpire2 = Simon Taufel
umpire2 initial form = SJA Taufel
umpire2 country = Australia
umpire2 country short form = Aus
MOTM = Adam Gilchrist
MOTM initial form = AC Gilchrist
MOTM country = Australia
MOTM ctry short form = Aus

Highest Score

Nixon's highest score with the bat came on January 30th 2007, against New Zealand. Nixon and Liam Plunkett set a new record 8th wicket partnership (of 76) for England in One-day Internationals, beating the previous effort held by Ben Hollioake and Darren Gough. [ [http://www1.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ENG/BATTING/ODI_PARTNERSHIP_RECORDS_ENG.html ODI England Batting Partnership Records] from "www.cricinfo.com" ] He finished with 49, missing out on his half century when he holed out to Jacob Oram off the last ball, hitting two 4s and two 6s along the way. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/cbs/engine/match/249238.html 49 v. New Zealand] scorecard from "www.cricinfo.com" ] Nixon also contributed with the bat in the 1st final against Australia with an unbeaten 11 from 10 balls as England won with 3 balls to spare. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/cbs/engine/match/249240.html Commonwealth Bank Series Final v. Australia] from "www.cricinfo.com" ]

Record v. Australia

Nixon first arrived on the scene at the start of the Commonwealth Series, starting in January 2007; a competition contested between Australia, New Zealand and England, with all games being played in Australia. The hosts and England made it through to the finals. This meant that of Nixon's first ten One Day International, six were against Australia.

Nixon made an appearance with the bat in each match with a top score of 11 not out. The other five innings brought 0, 9, 4, 4 and 6 runs. This gave him an average of 6.8 against the one-day champions.

However, tight keeping and infamous banter from behind the stumps helped England to a surprise series win. He caught eight Australian batsmen off a range of bowling, and helped run out Adam Gilchrist with Liam Plunkett in the third encounter between the two sides. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/cbs/engine/match/249234.html Adam Gilchrist Runout] scorecard from "www.cricinfo.com" ]

Nixon was to be remembered, regardless of any other achievement, as he was dismissed by Glenn McGrath, with what was the Australian bowler's last ball in cricket at the SCG.

Australia were again the opposition for England in the third match of the Super Eight stage of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Australia ran out winners by 7 wickets, with Nixon hitting 8 after joining the batting action late on in the innings. Despite having an overall one-day batting average of 19.8 at this point, Nixon's average against Australia was just 7, demonstrating the significant contributions made against "other" opposition. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/4/13085/html/scorecard.stm England v. Australia Super Eight Match 3] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

50+ partnerships

He has earned a reputation as a player with an ability to forge partnerships with other men lower down the order, and to move the score along later in the innings, without taking undue risks.

*30 January 2007 v. New Zealand, partnership of 76 off 9.2 overs, with Liam Plunkett (25*), contributing 42 [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/cbs/engine/match/249238.html?innings=2;view=fow Partnership of 76 with Liam Plunkett v. New Zealand] from "www.cricinfo.com" ]
*16 March 2007 v. New Zealand, partnership of 71 off 11.4 overs, with Liam Plunkett (29*), contributing 40 [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/match/247463.html?innings=1;view=fow Partnership of 71 with Liam Plunkett v. New Zealand] from "www.cricinfo.com" ]
*4 April 2007 v. Sri Lanka, partnership of 87 off 15.2 overs, with Ravi Bopara (52), contributing 42 [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/match/247489.html?innings=2;view=fow Partnership of 87 with Ravi Bopara v. Sri Lanka] from "www.cricinfo.com" ]
*21 April 2007 v. West Indies, partnership of 80 off 10.3 overs, with Kevin Pietersen (100), contributing 18 [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/engine/match/247504.html?innings=2;view=fow Partnership of 80 with Kevin Pietersen v. West Indies] from "www.cricinfo.com" ]

ummer Series 2007

On the 26 April 2007, Nixon was named as one of two wicket keepers (along with Matt Prior) in the 25 man performance squad for the summer series against the West Indies and India. Following his solid performances in the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Nixon was rewarded with a place in the squad, ahead of the two keepers selected for the Ashes series: Geraint Jones and Chris Read. Chairman of selectors, David Graveney, said, "The wicket-keeping position remains a competitive area - Paul Nixon and Matt Prior have been included in the squad but will be aware that they face strong competition from keepers outside of the squad." [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6596591.stm 2007 Summer Series v. West Indies and India Squad] from "www.bbc.co.uk" ] Inclusion in the squad gave Nixon the chance to extend his England career. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/292464.html Continuation of England career] from "www.cricinfo.com" ] Ultimately, Matt Prior was selected as wicket-keeper for the First Test against the West Indies, despite Nixon contributing significantly with the bat during the early stages of the season for Leicestershire. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6644239.stm Matt Prior selection] from "www.bbc.co.uk"]

However, Nixon was selected as wicket-keeper for the England Lions team facing the West Indies before the tourists' one-day series against England. Nixon, along with a number of other fringe players, saw the selection as an opportunity to push for a place in the senior squad. He said, "After the World Cup I thought I might not get another call-up to be honest, especially with the change of management, and Matt Prior has done so well since he came in." [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6222616.stm Lions Squad selection] from "www.bbc.co.uk"]

Unfortunately for Paul, he was not named in the squad for the series against the West Indies, as Prior kept his position.

World Cup 2007

Group Stage

In England's first 2007 Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand on the 16 March 2007, he again shared an excellent stand with Liam Plunkett - this time of 71 - to boost the total to 209. He ended the innings 42 not out, hitting five 4s having faced 41 balls. This stand turned out to be the best eighth wicket partnership in the whole of the competition. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?id=2403;type=tournament Best Eighth Wicket Partnership] from "www.cricinfo.com" ] In New Zealand's reply, Nixon caught Lou Vincent off the bowling of James Anderson as the opener was dismissed for 0. Despite being 2-2 at one stage, the Kiwi's eventually won by 6 wickets, with Scott Styris and Jacob Oram both hitting unbeaten half centuries. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/3/13062/html/scorecard.stm 2007 Cricket World Cup Group Stage: England v. New Zealand] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

On the 18 March, England took on Canada and Nixon hit 23 off just 8 balls, a knock which included four 4s and a 6 - a strike rate of just under 288. This helped his side accumulate 279. In their innings, Canada were chasing England's total with remarkable confidence, when Nixon stumped star performer Asif Mulla who was on 58, off the bowling of Ravi Bopara. A certain amount of momentum was lost as a result, as the Canadians succumbed to a 51 run defeat. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/3/13063/html/scorecard.stm 2007 Cricket World Cup Group Stage: England v. Canada] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

Six days later, England beat Kenya by 7 wickets, although Nixon was not required to bat. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/3/13067/html/scorecard.stm 2007 Cricket World Cup Group Stage: England v. Kenya] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

uper Eight Stage

In England's first Super Eight match against Ireland, Nixon contributed a useful 19 off 15 deliveries, hitting a 4 and a 6 along the way, accelerating the team's total to 266. Much like Canada in the Group Stage, Ireland were steadily chipping away at England's total, when Nixon again disrupted momentum with a stumping - this time nabbing Niall O'Brien off Michael Vaughan's bowling, for 63. Ultimately, England won by 48 runs. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/3/13078/html/scorecard.stm 2007 Cricket World Cup Super Eight Stage: England v. Ireland] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

On the 4 April, England were up against Sri Lanka, and struggling at 133-6, chasing 236 to win. Nixon came to the crease and crashed 42 off just 44 deliveries, with two 4s and a superb 6, sharing an 87 run partnership with Ravi Bopara off just 15.2 overs, before skying a Lasith Malinga delivery to Mahela Jayawardene. This turned out to be the best seventh wicket partnership of the whole competition. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?id=2403;type=tournament Best Seventh Wicket Partnership] from "www.cricinfo.com" ] His 6 came in the form of a fantastic reverse sweep off the bowling of Muttiah Muralitharan. Renowned as one of the best players of the shot, Nixon remarked after the match, "I've probably hit 20 sixes like that in county cricket - if I get my timing right, it's going to go out of the ground". [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/6540621.stm Nixon reverse sweep for six] comment from "www.bbc.co.uk" ] . He had taken England to the brink of victory, having arrived at the crease with the team all but defeated. Bopara was left with the task of hitting 3 runs off the last delivery, but was clean bowled by Dilhara Fernando, as Sri Lanka sneaked a 2 run victory. After this innings, Nixon had a World Cup average of 63 - second highest in the England team to Paul Collingwood, but still better than renowned big hitters Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff. The figure placed him in the top twenty batsmen - in terms of average - at the World Cup at this stage, ahead of fellow wicket keepers, Brendon McCullum, Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and Kumar Sangakkara. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/4/13084/html/scorecard.stm 2007 Cricket World Cup Super Eight Stage: England v. Sri Lanka] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

On the 8 April, England faced Australia in the third match of the Super Eight stage of the competition. Electing to bat first, England posted 247, with Kevin Pietersen hitting 104 before attacking a Nathan Bracken delivery, but only succeeding in playing the ball into the hands of Michael Clarke. Nixon came in to bat towards the end of the innings, hit a Glenn McGrath delivery for six, before the bowler got his revenge and had him caught for 8 by Brad Hodge. It was evident after this performance that England were finding difficulty in capitalising on good starts, and that a number of key players were struggling to find form. Nixon's World Cup average dipped to 44.66 after five innings (two unbeaten) and 134 runs. Only Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell and Ed Joyce had hit more runs at this stage, although all bar Joyce had batted an innings more. Ravi Bopara had also hit over 100 runs at this point, and out of these six players, Nixon was the only one not to have hit at least 50 in a single innings. This further identified Nixon as a player with an ability to consistently contribute a substantial amount of runs, when with the right batting partner, usually lower down the order. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/fds/hi/statistics/cricket/scorecards/2007/4/13085/html/scorecard.stm 2007 Cricket World Cup Super Eight Stage: England v. Australia] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

England's fourth Super Eight game was against Bangladesh, who had proven themselves to be tricky opposition, having beaten South Africa in their previous match. However, the Tiger's were bowled out for just 143, with Sajid Mahmood and Monty Panesar each taking three wickets. Nixon took two catches, both off the bowling of James Anderson. In the chase, England struggled, crumbling to 110-6, with an awkward 34 still needed for victory. Nixon, along with Paul Collingwood, slowly but surely chipped away at the total and took England to a four wicket win. Nixon finished on 20 not out, hitting a 4 and a 6 along the way. He faced 39 deliveries, compared to Collingwood's 74, for 23 runs. This crucial partnership of 37 kept their nation's World Cup dream alive. This knock took Nixon's average in the competition to 51.33, bettered in the England team only by the stalwart Collingwood and the expansive Pietersen. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/latest_scorecard/default.stm 2007 Cricket World Cup Super Eight Stage: England v. Bangladesh] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

England next faced South Africa in a match akin to a decider for which team was to progress to the semi finals. England batted first and were 119-6 when Nixon came to the crease, with Ravi Bopara at the other end. After making 1, he was dismissed off the bowling of Andrew Hall, caught by Mark Boucher, as his team was eventually bowled out for 154, with Hall taking 5-18 - the best ever figures for a South African at a World Cup. In South Africa's reply, they were 37-0 off four overs, compared to England's total of 5-0 at the same stage in their innings. England finally made a breakthrough in the 10th over, as Nixon caught Abraham de Villiers for 42 off the bowling of Andrew Flintoff, but South Africa already had 85 on the board. In the end, the Proteas won by nine wickets, taking just over 19 overs to knock off England's total, with captain Graeme Smith firing an unbeaten 89 off 58 deliveries, to send England crashing out of the competition. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/latest_scorecard/default.stm 2007 Cricket World Cup Super Eight Stage: England v. South Africa] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

Of the loss against South Africa, and England's exit from the competition, Nixon said, "Colly and Strauss were going well, but we lost the whole middle order quickly. I felt good off the first ball, then just pushed at one second ball and got a feather to the wicketkeeper - just when you want a play and miss, but sadly not. People must remember that we are the second least-experienced side here, only Ireland have fewer caps. For me, I was desperate to win, because I know I will never have another go." [ [http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/paulnixon/april07/iamgutted.htm England v. South Africa] comment from "www.telegraph.co.uk" ]

Lastly, England played the West Indies, in what was Brian Lara's last international match. He was absurdly run out for 18, but the hosts still went on to compile 300 with Chris Gayle, Devon Smith and Marlon Samuels all hitting half centuries. Nixon took one catch - Ramnaresh Sarwan off the bowling of Liam Plunkett. In reply, England had Michael Vaughan to thank for a fairly solid start, reaching 101 before losing a second wicket. However, a mid order collapse followed, as Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff and Jamie Dalrymple all fell in quick succession. Nixon came to the crease with his side 189-6 and 112 runs still needed for victory. By picking the gaps and careful play, Nixon kept his score ticking along, whilst keeping his wicket intact. At the other end, Kevin Pietersen went on to record his second century of the competition, before being bowled by Jerome Taylor. The two had put on 80 together - a crucial partnership in the circumstances, but 31 runs were still required. Liam Plunkett came and went, and with three more runs needed, Nixon himself was bowled by Dwayne Bravo. His 38 (off 39 deliveries, with four 4s) was a vital contribution which helped bring England to the cusp of victory. Playing in his first match of the competition, Stuart Broad hit the winning runs to secure a morale boosting win for his side. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/latest_scorecard/default.stm 2007 Cricket World Cup Super Eight Stage: England v. West Indies] scorecard from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

Of the match, Nixon said, "that was an amazing game of cricket. There was some tremendous batting from West Indies. We had to do something, we'd all talked about Duncan Fletcher and it means a lot for him. The lads paced the game so well. Michael Vaughan played beautifully, Kevin Pietersen came in and played magnificently and then the Leicestershire partnership finished it off." [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/6580381.stm England v. West Indies Match Reaction] comment from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

After the match, a CricInfo article read, "the match pivoted round Paul Nixon. By smashing three bottom-handed fours through midwicket in the 48th over he made a seemingly impossible chase do-able." [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/291860.html England v. West Indies CricInfo] comment from "www.cricinfo.com" ]

On the prospect of playing in future competitions for England, Nixon remarked, "I still feel I could do a job at the next World Cup in 2011." [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6222616.stm World Cup 2011] from "www.bbc.co.uk"]

tatistics and Records

England finished fifth in the competition overall, although Nixon had proved one of the team's success stories. He remarked, "fifth at the World Cup is nowhere - but I have loved every minute and let's see what the future holds." [ [http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/paulnixon/ 2007 Cricket World Cup] comment from "www.telegraph.co.uk" ]

Nixon finished the tournament with an average of 38.6, having scored 193 runs. This was the third highest in the England team, behind Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood. He was the only English batsman to score over 100 runs without hitting over 50 in a single innings. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/averages/default.stm England 2007 Cricket World Cup Statistics] from "www.bbc.co.uk" ]

After facing 194 balls, he had a strike rate of 99.48, hitting seventeen 4s and five 6s. This was the 10th highest strike rate of any player at the World Cup. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/records/batting/highest_career_strike_rate.html?id=2403;type=tournament 2007 Cricket World Cup Stike Rates] from "www.cricinfo.com" ] Of those batsmen that batted more than 3 times in the competition, he ended up with the 6th highest strike rate. [ [http://www.spincricket.com 2007 Cricket World Cup Strike Rates] from "www.spincricket.com" ] He also recorded the fifth highest strike rate of any England player in any innings in the competition, with his 42* off 41 balls against New Zealand - a strike rate of 102.43. Nixon made two more knocks with strike rates over 95, against West Indies and Sri Lanka. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/records/batting/highest_strike_rate_innings.html?id=2403;team=1;type=tournament 2007 Cricket World Cup Highest England Strike Rates] from "www.cricinfo.com" ]

Nixon was involved in four of the best England partnerships:
* 6th wicket partnership of 51 with Paul Collingwood against Ireland
* 7th wicket partnership of 87 with Ravi Bopara against Sri Lanka
* 8th wicket partnership of 71 with Liam Plunkett against New Zealand
* 9th wicket partnership of 27 with Stuart Broad against West Indies [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?id=2403;team=1;type=tournament 2007 Cricket World Cup Best England Batting Partnerships] from "www.cricinfo.com" ]

Nixon had the 34th highest average of all of the players to have taken part - notably one place above Brian Lara. He was the second highest placed wicket keeper - in terms of average - behind Adam Gilchrist who moved ahead of the England man after his astounding 149 in the final.

References

External links

* [http://www.cricket-online.org/player.php?player_id=10944 Cricket Online Profile]
* [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/18023.html Cricinfo Profile]
* [http://www.paulnixon2007.com/ Paul Nixon Benefit Year Website]
* [http://www.leicestershireccc.co.uk/ Leicestershire County Cricket Club Website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnN0YPVaRQM Footage of Reverse Sweeps off Muralitharan]