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Nic Pothas

Hampshire have generally been blessed with fine wicketkeepers, most of whom have given significant service to the side, including Jimmy Stone, Walter Livsey, Neil McCorkell, Leo Harrison, Brian Timms, Bob Stephenson, Bobby Parks, Adi Aymes and, in the 21st century, Nic Pothas. Quite a number were Hampshire men but Pothas was the first overseas wicketkeeper.

He arrived from South Africa (with Greek heritage) in 2002 and ousted Adi Aymes, partly on the strength of his batting, although it was not until the following season that this had a real impact. Usually batting at number six he scored 809 runs at nearly 45 per innings and, from then, his record as a batsman was always superior to any of his predecessors. It is an odd side note, therefore, that, while he exceeded 950 runs in three seasons, he never reached 1,000.

Nonetheless, his career record of 7,549 runs at 43.88 in 132 First-Class matches is considerably superior to all Hampshire’s other wicket-keepers with only Aymes (31.22) averaging above 30.

As a wicket-keeper, Pothas was able to ‘keep’ to a variety of bowlers including Shane Warne and when he left Hampshire his average in excess of three dismissals per match was higher than any other wicket-keeper. In 2006 he broke the Hampshire record with seven victims in an innings at Old Trafford and in the following year he equalled the Hampshire record of ten dismissals in a match. In 2005 he shared, with Andy Bichel, Hampshire’s record eighth wicket partnership of 257 v Gloucestershire at Cheltenham.

Nic’s great attribute was his determination. On many occasions he found himself batting with Hampshire in difficulty and frequently he was required to nurse the lower order. Had he played more selfishly, the 1,000 runs might have come but that was not his way and, when required, he deputised as captain.

He was often very effective in limited-overs matches, not least in the two Cup Finals that Hampshire won with him in the side. In 2005, in the C & G Trophy final against Warwickshire, he opened the batting and his half-century set Hampshire on their way. Then, in 2009, he batted virtually on one leg, his lightning 35 from just 31 balls in the FP final helping to see Hampshire to victory.

In 2011, Nic - or “Skeg” as he’s known to his friends and team-mates (a reference, apparently, to the shape of his nose!) - celebrated his benefit year having been unanimously awarded it by the Hampshire Members’ Committee.

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