On This Day: Mark Nicholas Stars Against Worcestershire

Hampshire Cricket's historian Dave Allen takes a look back on timely memorable moments in his ‘On This Day’ series.

Mark Nicholas (73 & 138*) - Hampshire v Worcestershire, County Championship: 22nd - 25th June 1995

This - the 22nd June 1995 - was the first day of a Championship match against Worcestershire at Northlands Road, played in considerable heat.

Hampshire batted first and reached 314-6 by the close, with Paul Terry and Mark Nicholas sharing top score with 73. Most of the Hampshire players ‘got in’ but not until day two when Udal passed fifty did anyone else go on past 33.

On that second morning the tail took Hampshire to 428, then Bovill (4-66) and two each for Streak, James and Udal gave Hampshire a lead of 139 (Leatherdale 83).

Paul Whitaker (119) and Nicholas with 138* enabled a declaration on 344-5 and a huge target of 483.

Worcestershire took heart closing on 41-0 and the final day was hard work for the Hampshire bowlers.

Haynes top-scored with 78, but eight men reached 20 or beyond, and at 411-7 with time running out it seemed they would get a draw, until spinners Darren Flint with two wickets and Udal one, bowled them out for 413 and victory by 70 runs.