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Paul Nixon takes his t20 finals bow - World of Cricket

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Paul Nixon knew it was time to go when he spotted hair straighteners in the Leicestershire dressing room and remembered holding team-mate Josh Cobb in his arms as a baby. The Badger of the domestic game made up his mind there and then to leave the county set.

English cricket will lose one of its greatest characters after Saturday's Twenty20 finals day - unless Leicestershire reach the Champions League - when Nixon, at 40, finally slows down after 24 years in which he has never appeared to stop to catch his breath.

The man dubbed The Badger by Rob Key and Matt Walker during his three years at Kent - 'I was mad for it and I've always been fond of nocturnal activities' - is retiring, aptly, after one last  high-profile appearance in the short form of the game that has defined his later years.

Eng of the glove affair: Leicestershire's Paul Nixon will retire after Saturday's t20 finals day

The words tumble out as Nixon explains his decision to quit when he is still, thanks to his dedication to fitness, in as good a shape as many half his age.

'I love this game and have given everything to every day,' he said. 'It might sound crazy but I've enjoyed every minute of my 24 years. It has been a special time. I've been blessed.

'But it's time to go because my body won't let my mind do what it wants to any more. I'm not keeping to the standards I have done over the years and I feel that I'm letting myself and the lads down.

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'It's not about getting by. I only keep in Twenty20 cricket these days, which means I do 120 squats a game. The day after each match I have to come down the stairs sideways now and I've got a three-year-old daughter who I want to be able to run around with.

'But I came into the game on a high and I want to go out on a high. I've seen a lot of good pros and stalwarts leave on bad terms and with a bitter taste in their mouths and it shouldn't be like that. I don't want to retire on a wet Thursday in September.'

Instead, he will bow out on the big stage of Edgbaston when Leicestershire face Lancashire in the semi-finals of a competition he has won twice after appearing in each of the first four finals days.

Only progress to the final that would see his side qualify for the Champions League in India next month can now extend a career that was given sudden and unexpected impetus when he made 19 one-day international appearances for England at the age of 36.

Nixon's call-up came when England were about to embark on a one-day triangular series against Australia and New Zealand after their 5-0 Ashes thrashing. They needed someone with energy and enthusiasm to put a smile back  on their faces. The Badger fitted the bill.

'I thought my time had gone,' said Nixon. 'I was 36 but physically I was more like 28. I could embrace it and enjoy it because it felt like a reward for all the hard work over the years. I didn't put too much pressure on myself.'

At first the results were almost as bad as during the Ashes. 'I remember playing in Perth and coming to the last ball of our innings against New Zealand on 49 not out,' said Nixon. 'I thought it might be my last ball as an England player so I said to myself, "Swing yourself off your feet and see how far you can hit it".

'Reaching 50 didn't matter. I made a good connection off my old mate Shane Bond but Jacob Oram took a great catch on the boundary.

'But we scraped into the final and ended up winning it. I will never forget walking round the boundary with the trophy in the pouring rain in Sydney. I wanted a picture of the Barmy Army because, again, I thought I might never play for England again and they dragged me into the crowd. I've still got that photo on my phone.'

No fall from Grace Road: The former England wicketkeeper does not want to leave the game on a low note

Nixon's England career was extended to the ill-fated 2007 World Cup but it will be as a dynamic county keeper-batsman who won two Championship titles with Leicestershire that he will be remembered. And, according to Kent captain Key, as the most unselfish man in the game because of all the help he has given others.

'It's lovely to hear him say that,' said Nixon. 'I think it might come from my upbringing on a farm in Cumbria. I came from a small  community and was taught well.'

Now it is time to hand over to the next generation, including his Grace Road team-mate James Taylor, who is set to make his full England debut on Thursday against Ireland in Dublin.

'He is a very special young man,' said Nixon. 'James has one of the best work ethics I've seen and reminds me of Graham Gooch in his preparation and attention to detail. He knows his game inside out already and is one of the fastest learners I've known. He ticks all the boxes.'

Yet it is Nixon who will command the attention at Edgbaston. When Leicestershire dramatically defeated his old side Kent in the Twenty20 quarter-finals, he was held aloft by supporters as he left the Grace Road pitch for the last time in a competitive match.

'I like fairy tales and it will be another if we win on Saturday,' said Nixon. Every neutral will be rooting for him.

Friends Life is the lead sponsor of the PCA benevolent fund and the title sponsor of the Friends Life t20. Visit www.facebook.com/FriendsLifet20

Scouting report - Ben Stokes (Durham and England)

England's senior players have been allowed to put their feet up for today's one-day game against Ireland in Dublin to give the next generation a chance. Who should we look out for?

Well, there is little James Taylor who is sure to make a mark, but the most promising of them all could be big Ben Stokes of Durham.

Tell me more.

Rob Key called him the most promising young player he had ever seen when Stokes smashed 161 against Kent last year but that was nothing compared to his contribution against Hampshire at the start of this season.

Ben took six for 68 with his medium pace, including three wickets in an over, before hitting a century and smashing five sixes in an over off Liam Dawson. The boy, still only 20, is a genuine all-round talent.

Take that: Ben Stokes is a promising all-rounder and has made his mark with both Durham and England Lions

Young Lions: Stokes and James Taylor (left) have shone for England's second string already this summer

Remind you of anyone?

Don't call him the new Flintoff! Durham don't like that because of the pressure it could bring, but it is a tag he will have to get used to.

There do seem to be similarities.

There are differences too. Stokes was born in Christchurch and came to live in Cumbria when he was 12 after his dad Ged, who played rugby league for New Zealand, was offered the coach's job at Workington.

The young Ben was more interested in rugby but league's loss has been cricket's gain.

Another 'plastic Brit' then?

No, Ben has no trace of a Kiwi accent and has only ever wanted to play for England since taking up cricket seriously at 14.

The England management rate him very highly and the word was he would have played against Sri Lanka earlier this year if he hadn't badly dislocated a finger. Even now that is stopping him bowling but he is more than good enough as a left-handed batsman to make an impression.

He's a fiery redhead too and is clearly looking forward to his trip to Dublin. He tweeted on Tuesday: 'Can't wait to find out whether Guinness actually tastes nicer in Ireland.'

I'll drink to that.

Newman's talking point

The top two Test teams in the world will meet in a mouth-watering series in England next year, but already it is in danger of being spoilt by the schedulers.

England will meet South Africa in a three-Test series - it should have been at least four - in the shadow of the London Olympics and, inexplicably, one of those Tests - at Headingley - will take place during the Games, rendering it completely overshadowed.

Howzat for bad planning? England renew hostilities with Dale Steyn & co next summer - but only for three Tests

The main reason? Yet another one-day series against Australia to squeeze into the calendar, even though it is a non-Ashes year.

When will our administrators ever learn?

  More... Bumble's World: Ruthless England are like a dog with a bone Stuart Broad: Now we aim to dominate just like Manchester United The Top Spin: Unlucky for India - How England's 13 star men climbed to top of the world Luke at county cricket: Forget Cowell and co, here's the real X Factor!





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