The Grand Hotel in Brighton was the venue for the opening event of Chris Nash: Sussex Cricketer’s testimonial year. The turnout was excellent; with a supporting cast of fellow team mates including captain Luke Wright, joining in the chat and banter.
It is no mean achievement to be offered a testimonial year, normally a player must have played for their county for at least ten years and that does not always guarantee such an honour to be bestowed. Nash, born locally in Cuckfield, made his first-class county debut in 2002 and has gone on to represent Sussex over 420 times in all competitions, being part of successful sides wining several medals. It was in 2009 Chris really made his mark for the county, passing 1,000 Championship runs in the season for the first time, making four centuries along the way. He repeated the feat in 2010, helping Sussex win promotion back to the top flight and winning him a place in the England Lions squad in 2011’. Chris has further been a part of some of Sussex’s great achievements by being part of the squad that won back to back county championships in 2006 & 2007, including doing a cricketing double in the same season by winning the one day C&G Trophy, also Pro40 titles in 2008 and 2009 plus the Shark’s 2009 Twenty20 cup victory.
Chris in his welcoming speech made special reference and thanks to his parents who were present at the occasion. Reminiscing to them the number of journeys and long waits in the car when taking him to play in matches all around the county and beyond as a school kid. They must have been very proud of their son.
The event auction full of fantastic sporting memorabilia raised further funds while Club Captain Luke Wright took up a skipper’s role to take every one through the customary fundraising game of ‘heads & tails’, he being more use to tossing a coin than many. In a short speech, beforehand he complimented his vice-captain Chris (Nash) along with some witty references to Sussex fast bowler Tymal Mills (not present) who has just scoped £1.4 million in the world picks for the Indian Premier league (IPL) Twenty20 competition, playing for Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The entertainment proved to be a further success with comedian Ian Moore paying homage to Chris for signing his son’s autograph book a few years ago, then going on to discuss the nonsense attitudes to Facebook, the French and child birth leaving his audience in hysterics, while rushing off to catch a southern train (good luck Ian) to an evening awards ceremony in London. The new chief executive of Sussex county cricket Rob Andrew gave a passionate Q&A on his own career and the club. He further meets the many business people and sponsors at the Boundary club event next week eager to find out his plans for the Cricket club in 2017.
The organising committee headed by chairman Michael Pay have put on some exciting and interesting testimonial events (in Chris Nash’s honour) during the year which will hopefully raise money for good causes such as Rocking horse children’s charity and the Sussex cricket Foundation. A full list can be found on the website but includes a dinner in the famous Lords Long room in July.
Matthew Willetts MA is the Director of Comicus who has over 35 years experience in television, film, theatre, and comedy club/cabaret entertainment, working as a performer, screenwriter, producer and agent. He’s lectured at University in Comedy, Screenwriting, Television, Theatre & Radio. Matthew can sometimes be seen and heard on TV & Radio and often quoted in the national press and media publications. As well as speaking regularly at festivals and industry conferences. He has been a judge at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Montreux Television Festival.
