Nigel Popplewell

Nigel Popplewell
Personal information
Full name Nigel Francis Mark Popplewell
Born (1957-08-08) 8 August 1957
Chislehurst, Kent, England
Batting style Right-handed
Bowling style Right-arm medium
Role Occasional wicket-keeper
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
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

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