Nigel Popplewell

Personal information

Full name

Nigel Francis Mark Popplewell

Born

8 August 1957
Chislehurst, Kent, England

Batting style

Right-handed

Bowling style

Right-arm medium

Role

Occasional wicket-keeper

Domestic team information

Years

Team

1979–1985

Somerset

1977–1979

Cambridge University

First-class debut

23 April 1977 Cambridge University v Leicestershire

Last First-class

3 August 1985 Somerset v Hampshire

List A debut

7 May 1977 Combined Universities v Kent

Last List A

1 September 1985 Somerset v Sussex

Career statistics

Competition	FC	LA
Matches	143	123
Runs scored	5070	2077
Batting average	27.11	23.33
100s/50s	4/22	0/8
Top score	172	84
Balls bowled	8290	2158
Wickets	103	49
Bowling average	43.11	32.63
5 wickets in innings	1	0
10 wickets in match	0	n/a
Best bowling	5/33	3/34
Catches/stumpings	110/–	42/2

Source: , 13 February 2010

Nigel Francis Mark Popplewell (born 8 August 1957) is a former English first-class cricketer who made over 200 appearances for Somerset between 1979 and 1985. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, Popplewell also occasionally played as wicket-keeper.^[1]

Probably Nigel's finest hour came in a semi final of the prestigious Nat West trophy played at Lords on 17 August 1983 against a very strong Middlesex side skippered by Mike Gatting. The toss was won by Ian Botham deputising for Brian Rose and put Middlesex in. They amassed a very credible 222 in their allotted 60 overs with Wilf Slack and Mike Gatting putting on over 100 for the 5th Wicket. A stiff target to reach especially with the late afternoon shadows that would ascend on Lords as the evening would start to draw in a lot earlier.

When Botham strolled to the crease Somerset were already 43-4. Nine runs later Neil Williams induced the great Richards into spooning a leading edge to Wayne Daniel and Somerset were in tatters at 52-5. Incredibly with half the side back in the pavilion, Richards gone and Daniel, Cowan and Williams on the rampage Somerset still needed a further 171 to win. It looked impossible. Earlier they had just about the worst start possible with Peter Denning clean bowled without scoring as the visitors stumbled to 13-2. What was needed now was a captain's innings. Nigel Popplewell Somerset's last real recognised batsmen joined Botham in what looked like a hopeless task. Steadily at first, the two began to make inroads into the deficit. Both became more assured and Popplewell's support was intelligent and brave. No mere second fiddle, Popplewell's 46 in a partnership of 104 was invaluable in inching Somerset closer to the total. Eventually he edged Daniel to Downton but the innings and partnership was instrumental in allowing a superb knock of 96 not out from Botham with Somerset winning the dramatic tie by losing fewer wickets. When the BBC interviewed Botham he said that Nigel's knock was one of the most important innings and partnerships that he had been involved in since being at Somerset.

Nigel is now a leading tax solicitor.

References

↑ "Player profile: Nigel Popplewell". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2010-02-13.

External links

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