Cricket: Evening Express Highlights Nigel Hazel
The Evening Express has highlighted Bermudian cricket player Nigel Hazel, saying “he was a ball of fire from Bermuda whose name is still spoken with reverence among the north-east cricket community.”
The Evening Express website said, “He was a ball of fire from Bermuda whose name is still spoken with reverence among the north-east cricket community.
“And Nigel Hazel’s son of the same name has opened his scrapbook and taken us on a journey through this far-travelled troubadour’s impact on Strathmore when he signed for the Forfar club in 1954.
“He could have earned a fortune elsewhere in the Lancashire Leagues or even progressed to the English county circuit, but this flashing blade fell in love with Scotland and it was a passion reciprocated by his team mates.
“In the 1960s, when he steered his previously unheralded club to national glory, the man nicknamed “Chopper” took a scythe to opponents far and wide and his personnel went all of 57 games without defeat from 1961 to 1965.
“Then, in 1971, at the age of 50, he was the architect for Strathmore winning the Scottish Cup with victory over Kilmarnock in the showpiece tussle.
“All the players – bar the charismatic Hazel as their professional – stayed in Forfar and had played through the ranks.
“The Kilmarnock side whom they edged out at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow had the legendary Australian swing bowler Bob Massie as their professional.
“He just happened to be the man who took 16 wickets for Australia on his debut as the baggy-green brigade thrashed England in the Second Test of the Ashes series at Lord’s the following summer.
You can read the full story here on Evening Express.
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