{{short description|English cricketer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}} {{Use British English|date=March 2016}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Tony Nicholson | image = | country = England | fullname = Anthony George Nicholson | birth_date = {{Birth date|1938|6|25|df=yes}} | birth_place = Dewsbury, Yorkshire, England | death_date = {{Death date and age|1985|11|4|1938|6|25|df=yes}} | death_place = Harrogate, Yorkshire, England | batting = Right-handed | bowling = Right-arm medium | club1 = Yorkshire | year1 = 1962–1975 | type1 = FC | debutdate1 = 7 July | debutyear1 = 1962 | debutfor1 = Yorkshire | debutagainst1 = Essex | lastdate1 = 16 September | lastyear1 = 1975 | lastfor1 = Yorkshire | lastagainst1 = Essex | type2 = LA | debutdate2 = 12 June | debutyear2 = 1963 | debutfor2 = Yorkshire | debutagainst2 = Sussex | lastdate2 = 31 August | lastyear2 = 1975 | lastfor2 = Yorkshire | lastagainst2 = Nottinghamshire | columns = 2 | column1 = First-class | matches1 = 283 | runs1 = 1,669 | bat avg1 = 11.75 | 100s/50s1 = 0/1 | top score1 = 50 | deliveries1 = 47,406 | wickets1 = 879 | bowl avg1 = 19.76 | fivefor1 = 40 | tenfor1 = 3 | best bowling1 = 9/62 | catches/stumpings1 = 85/– | column2 = List A | matches2 = 120 | runs2 = 155 | bat avg2 = 6.45 | 100s/50s2 = 0/0 | top score2 = 15* | deliveries2 = 0 | wickets2 = 5,862 | bowl avg2 = 17.05 | fivefor2 = 4 | tenfor2 = 0 | best bowling2 = 6/27 | catches/stumpings2 = 16/– | date = 27 September | year = 2007 | source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/31/31727/31727.html CricketArchive }}
'''Anthony George Nicholson''' (25 June 1938 – 4 November 1985) was an English first-class cricketer, active 1962 to 1975, who played for Yorkshire as a right arm medium pace bowler and was a member of the club's five County Championship-winning teams between 1962 and 1968. He was born in Dewsbury and died in Harrogate. Nicholson was awarded his county cap after the 1963 season and a benefit for him in 1973 raised £13,214. He made 283 first-class appearances and 120 in limited overs cricket, taking 879 and 173 wickets respectively.<ref name=CA>[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/31/31727/31727.html Tony Nicholson at CricketArchive]</ref> Prior to joining Yorkshire, Nicholson was a policeman in Southern Rhodesia.<ref>Playfair Cricket Annual, 1966.</ref>
Nicholson's best seasons were 1966 and 1967 when, usually opening the bowling with Fred Trueman, he took over 100 wickets and played a key role in Yorkshire's title wins. Despite his successful county career, he never played Test cricket. He was selected for the England tour of South Africa in 1964–65 but was forced to withdraw because of an injury.<ref>Obituary in ''Wisden Cricketers' Almanack'' 1986.</ref> His later career was dogged by ill health, caused by blood clots in his leg, which contributed to his early death.<ref>A. Woodhouse, ''History of Yorkshire Cricket''</ref>
Although he never managed international recognition, Nicholson was highly rated by the Yorkshire public.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/04/stories/2004060404201700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040905234627/http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/04/stories/2004060404201700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-09-05 |title=Wet start to second Test |author=Corbett, Ted |authorlink=Ted Corbett (journalist) |date=2004-06-04 |accessdate=2007-09-27 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> The county's Players Association holds a Tony Nicholson Memorial Trophy in his honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshireccc.com/the_club/playersassociation/first100 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070504122210/http://www.yorkshireccc.com/the_club/playersassociation/first100 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-05-04 |title=Players set sights on their first 100 |accessdate=2007-09-27 |publisher=Yorkshire County Cricket Club }}</ref> At a time when retirement tended to be greeted with muted thanks by the Yorkshire committee, Nicholson was paid the warmest possible tribute.<ref>YCCC Yearbook 1976</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== * {{cite book |last=Hodgson |first=Derek |title=The Official History of Yorkshire County Cricket Club |publisher=The Crowood Press |year=1989 |isbn=1852232749}} * {{cite book |last=Kilburn |first=J. M. |title=A History of Yorkshire Cricket |publisher=Stanley Paul |year=1970 |isbn=0091011108}}
==External links== *{{cricinfo|id=18138}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nicholson, Tony}} Category:1938 births Category:1985 deaths Category:English cricketers Category:Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers Category:Cricketers from Dewsbury Category:Yorkshire cricketers Category:English cricketers of 1946 to 1968 Category:English cricketers of 1969 to 2000 Category:20th-century English sportsmen