Kev: How are you and how’s your fitness?

 

Knocker: I’m as fit as ever having had a month off after the season ended. I have just started light training. As we speak, I no longer have the groin niggles and back problems.

 

Kev: What are your plans for the winter?

 

Knocker: Three main things:

 

1/ My benefit. I have the help of a committee arranging events and making contacts.  There will be charity events for the Princess Trust and Shooting Stars. [Editor’s note: MTWD will keep readers posted about these events]

The benefit will involve a lot of hard work and not being a big name I am a little worried about how successful it will be.

 

2 / Ashes tour – Nashes Ashes – I will be hosting a party and as well as enjoying it I will be trying to network for my benefit.   Of course I will be taking my whites in case anything will happen to Read and Jones.  I am even considering nobbling them both on the day before tests. However, feel Drunken Fletcher would rather pick himself in preference to me.

 

3/ I coach players once a week from local clubs on voluntary basis.  

 

 

Kev: Last season, how did you view your form behind and in front of stumps?

 

Knocker: It was a tough challenge, having not played first class cricket for close to a year. The standard of 2^nd team cricket does not prepare you.  But when I was out there on the pitch it just all clicked – as if I hadn’t been away.  Was very satisfied with the keeping – just 1 dropped catch in 8 long games in the field. I feel I helped behind the scenes keeping morale up, during difficult times, motivating bowlers and fielders.

 

Kev: Do you expect to retain place and be recalled to the one-day side next year?

 

Knocker: If I am not in the CC team next year, there might be a few windows smashed in the dressing room and Middlesex shop.  I hope to bat higher next season. I have been successful batting with tail but there is added pressure trying to build very big scores with late order batting and less time, which I always look for.  When 3 years ago I was promoted up order, I felt I was not given long enough, while other players seem to get plenty of chances.  If this year, I am given a full season at batting at 6, I promise I will get at least 3 tons for us.  

 

One-day cricket; I accept that Ben Scott gives something extra standing up. But we have had a weakness of middle collapses or drying up of runs and can see myself as a nurdler of runs rotating the strike; a role as a specialist batsman, which I  enjoyed a few seasons back. I still don’t understand why I was dropped then, despite good scores.  Ben Scott has made some mistakes behind stumps and realistically I can double up as keeper in one-day cricket as well.

 

Kev: How is your relationship with Scottie?

 

Knocker: We are mates. Even when he was picked ahead of me I never watched Teletext hoping he would fail and have always wanted him to do well.   On saying that, I have not been happy being left out of side as I feel I am worth a place when fit.

 

Kev: How did you view double relegation for Middx?

 

Knocker: We deserved it in both competitions. We were not good enough. No excuses despite, injuries, call ups etc. We came out in most games as better teams on paper and under performed big time.

 

Kev: And prospects for double promotion?

 

Knocker: Very confident.  Brilliant signings, especially Jonno. People go on about him being injury prone, but has played 150+ games and can only think of Glenn Chappell as a bowler who has played more.  Having Kartik, a decent spinner, is a major coup that could make the difference.  Also, Ed Smith has just been announced at captain, so the squad is really coming together.

 

Kev: Did you think of throwing your hand into Captaincy Stakes?

 

Knocker: It was discussed with Embers, but not being in one-day side was a factor against me. I’m being considered for the four-day vice captaincy, but in any case I am guaranteed to play a key role as liaison between management, team and captain.

 

Kev: You were born Sarf of River; did you ever consider playing for our Surrey rivals?

 

Knocker: Also went to school in Surrey, but always like my parents supported Middlesex and wanted to play for us.  As a colt, Surrey were after me and Jonno who was also educated in Surrey. There was a legal battle for our services that was settled out of court and the rest is history.

 

Kev: Is Jon Batty on your Christmas card list?

 

Knocker: We were and still are mates. The “punch up” was more handbags at dawn than anything else. At time of game, Surrey were struggling with Batty as recently appointed captain. I was sledging big time behind the stumps; for example calling him Anne Bolyen with his head being on block and using some “Barmy Kev Sorry” humour incessantly.   This continued throughout the  game and then came close to blows. While I accept I wound him up, I thought my fine was a bit harsh.

 

Kev: When you were 2^nd choice keeper did you ever get offered and were you tempted to find another county with better 1st team prospects?

 

Knocker: Lanky wanted me last year to replace Hegg.  As well as loyalty to Middlesex, the distance of move would have been impractical for my family.  Somerset have regularly enquired. Apart from catching up with Jonno, I didn’t find that move an attractive idea.   It would be difficult for me to leave Middlesex.

 

Kev: I’ve always wondered how did you get the nickname Knocker?

 

Knocker: When I started my career, just before going out to keep, I would always go to the loo and “relieve myself”, so I became known for always knocking myself off. [Editor’s note: perhaps we should revert to the less original, but also less evocative nickname, “Nashie”]

 

Kev: What are your interests outside cricket?

 

Nashie: Golf, beers, family, watching Chelsea/ Brentford FC, Wasps rugby.

 

Kev: Who do you really like and respect?

 

Nashie: Steve Flemming, Angus Fraser, and Andy Strauss – Straussy regularly visits and has not allowed success to change him.

 

Kev: Which cricketers do you most like to have dinner with? 

 

Nashie: Owais Shah - comes across shy - but really good company and has great sense of humour.  Jonno- long term mate.

 

Kev: Who  do you like to have batting with you the most? 

 

Nashie: Justin Langer-the only batsman I’ve known to go out of his way to sledge bowlers.

 

Kev: Whose bowling do you most/least like to face/keep to?

 

Nashie: Most like to face – I enjoy batting against spinners. I enjoyed that ton against Kent playing Murali’s box of tricks.

Least like to face- Definitely Wasim Akram. Also, Mushie who keeps the ball so low it is difficult to play shots against. 

Most like to keep to - Tuffers. His variation and flight made it a great challenge and watching from behind stumps has helped my batting against spinners.

Least like to keep to - Nantie Heywood. Sprayed it all over place often with late swing just before reaches gloves. Mohammed Ali, posed similar problems.

 

Kev: Do you or other players read the MTWD website?

 

Nashie: Occasionally I have a look and enjoy some of the debate. On the whole I feel fans are upbeat even during difficult times.  MTWD forum comments are often the talk of the dressing room. Scott Styris was a regular reader and in the morning would come in and make comments about people’s opinions, wind ups etc. 

 

Could someone tell……………..….some people………………………to shut *** **** up, when they talk ****.  For example, when they promote young players without knowing much about them from a cricket point of view and don’t look at the full picture.   

 

Kev: Have you seen Nashie Legends flag Turkey’s take to away games?

 

Nashie: Seen it and am honoured. 

 

Kev: Do you hear the “David Nash” chants when you achieve a milestone?

 

Nashie: Love it.  I loved it even when you chanted “are you watching, Embury”? when I got 50 on comeback against Lanky, even though I thought it might wind him up.  Joking apart, though, I am very grateful for the support both Vinny and Embers have shown me. They gave me extra pre season leave during the birth of my daughter, and have been supportive while I was injured.  I am also, of course, very happy they have granted me a benefit. 

  

Kev: Certain Middx fans (Ged, for example) thought you bowling at Southgate was class. Is this an area, you are planning on developing?

 

Nashie: All I can say is that I was most disappointed that Silvers beat me to our bowler of season.

 

Kev: Is it true you have a reputation as a practical joker in the dressing room?

 

Nashie: I like to have a laugh and there is good banter between team mates, even when the team is doing badly.  My favourite practical joke was when Ed Smith turned up in the dressing room with a suitcase.  I opened it (with the help of Ace) made a washing line and hung up his wife’s knickers and bras for all to see.  I guess that might count against us a bit now that he’s captain.

 

Kev: Ambitions for future?

 

Knicker-Knocker: Cricket-wise, to be part of a Middlesex trophy winning side, which I believe can realistically happen.  I want to live life to the fullest and enjoy my family and friends.

 

Editor’s Notes and Acknowledgements

 

Brillcream did not sponsor this interview.

 

Many, many thanks to Knicker-Knocker for providing us with a frank upbeat perspective on his career and the future.  

 

MTWD wish David Nash all the very best for his trip Down Under and his well-deserved benefit season.

 

All together now:

 

DAVID NASH, DAVID NASH, DAVID DAVID NASH.

HE’S GOT NO HAIR BUT WE DON’T CARE

DAVID DAVID NASH