Born On This Day: 15th December

Nick Pocock was born in Venezuela in 1951. After a few years playing for the 2nd XI he made his first-class debut against the reigning Champions Leicestershire at Bournemouth in 1976, scoring 68.

In a career that ran to 1984 he played in 127 matches scoring 3,790 runs at 23.10 with two centuries. He had played in five limited-overs matches in 1977 and then after the sudden departure of Barry Richards the following season, in the last five John Player League matches, including the game v Middlesex at Bournemouth which clinched the title.

At the end of that season, Gilliat retired, and in 1979, his deputy Bob Stephenson took over, while Pocock scored his first century v Middlesex at Portsmouth. He played then with some regularity, although never certain of selection, so it was something of a surprise when he was handed the captaincy.

After a tough first year he led the rebuilding of the side following the break-up of the successful mid-1970s team. Hampshire advanced from last place in 1980 to seventh in 1981 and third in 1982 & 1983. They also reached Cup quarter-finals in 1982 & 1983, and then a semi-final at Canterbury in that latter season.

As captain, Pocock did a fine job of bringing through younger cricketers like Tim Tremlett, Mark Nicholas, Paul Terry, Bob Parks, Cardigan Connor and Raj Maru then in late 1984 he handed over to Mark Nicholas and retired, although in recent years he has been a popular Hampshire President.