Matthew James Nicholson, born on August 31, 1976, is a former Australian cricketer who was known for his fast bowling skills and lower-order batting contributions. Standing at an impressive height of 6’6″, Nicholson was able to generate significant bounce, making him a formidable opponent for any batsman.
Hailing from New South Wales, Nicholson began his cricket journey as a schoolboy star, quickly gaining recognition as the country’s under-19 player of the year in the 1992-93 season. Despite his early success, he struggled to break into the strong New South Wales side and decided to make a move to Western Australia.
Nicholson made his first-class debut against West Indies in the 1996-97 season, showcasing immense promise. Unfortunately, his progress was halted when he was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, a consequence of glandular fever, causing him to miss the entire 1997-98 season. Determined to overcome this setback, Nicholson made several lifestyle changes, adopting a diet free of alcohol, dairy, and meat products to control the disease.
After 18 months on the sidelines, Nicholson made a resounding comeback against England in 1998-99. He impressed with a seven-wicket haul in the first innings, accompanied by his maiden half-century with the bat. This stellar performance earned him a surprise call-up to the national team for the fourth Test at Melbourne. Although he took four wickets in the match, his inconsistent form and injuries prevented him from holding a permanent spot in the Australian side.
In 2003-04, Nicholson returned to New South Wales and demonstrated his potential once again. He picked up 39 wickets in the Pura Cup and earned selection for Australia A. The following season, he formed a lethal bowling combination alongside Nathan Bracken and Stuart Clark, amassing 47 first-class victims, including seven in the Pura Cup final, which helped his team secure victory over Queensland.
While his performance dipped slightly in the 2005-06 season, Nicholson still managed to take 46 wickets for Northamptonshire in England, ending the season as their leading wicket-taker. In addition to his bowling exploits, he also showcased his batting prowess, scoring 454 runs and smashing an impressive 106 from just 93 balls against Derbyshire.
Nicholson remained a valuable performer for New South Wales, even serving as captain at times, until his retirement in 2007-08. Unfortunately, he missed out on a farewell in the Pura Cup final victory due to the return of the national bowlers. He did have a brief stint at Surrey in England before leaving early and returning to Australia to become a New South Wales selector.
Throughout his career, Nicholson displayed determination, resilience, and a never-give-up attitude. Although he faced numerous setbacks, he consistently bounced back and made significant contributions to his teams. With his impressive skills as a fast bowler, combined with his lower-order batting capabilities, Matthew James Nicholson will always be remembered as a valuable asset to Australian cricket.