Cricket: Explosive Nash too much for students

OXFORD - New Zealand medium-fast bowler Dion Nash proved a point with his five-wicket haul against British Universities yesterday.

Nash's five for 24 off 14.4 overs led New Zealand to a win by an innings and 44 runs on the final day of the three-day tour match.

British Universities were dismissed for 238 in their second innings, having been all out for 231 on the first day.

Nash showed he was still an effective wicket-taker after a lean period during the World Cup.

New Zealand scored 513 for six declared in their first innings, and the task of bowling the home side out on a flat pitch yesterday was always going to be a difficult one.

New Zealand coach Steve Rixon was impressed with Nash's attitude and performance.

"He bowled outstandingly, with genuine pace. It all pretty much went right for him," Rixon said. "It was a very, very flat, slow wicket and to see him charging in was great."

Rixon believed Nash bowled well without much luck in the World Cup, and needed a big haul to boost him before the first test against England starting next week.

"Dion bowled very well for a good period of the World Cup, beat the bat a lot, but didn't take wickets. He proved a point with his bowling today."

Nash's effort finished a good three days for the New Zealanders, in which Matthew Horne, Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle scored centuries and Vettori also claimed five wickets.

Left-arm opening bowler Shayne O'Connor started yesterday by claiming an early leg-before-wicket dismissal, then Nash chipped away at the middle order with wickets from a catch to Craig McMillan and two leg-before-wicket decisions.

British Universities played defensively and tried to bat out the day, but Nash finished the job for New Zealand in the 90th over of the innings by bowling two tailend batsmen.

Former Central Districts and New Zealand legspinner Greg Loveridge, batting at No 5 for British Universities, was run out for 10.

O'Connor, Vettori, debutant Brooke Walker and Nathan Astle each took one wicket, with O'Connor conceding 51 runs off nine overs after a good start.

Vettori and Walker bowled in tandem for a period and Rixon said they formed a useful combination.

"When they got together they did quite well," he said. "Brooke bowled well, and progressed a step further from where he'd been."

New Zealand have travelled to Taunton for their four-day match against county side Somerset, starting tonight (NZ time).

It is the final lead-up to the first test against England starting at Edgbaston next Thursday.

New Zealand are likely to field a near test-strength side against Somerset, with probable test players Roger Twose, Geoff Allott, Chris Cairns and Adam Parore playing. - NZPA