Paul Nixon

Squad Number - 3

Player Sponsor - Tony Wilkinson

Born - Carlisle, Cumbria, October 21, 1970

Joined - Leicestershire 1989

Role - Club Captain, Left Hand Batsman, Wicketkeeper

Family - Wife - Jen, daughter Isabella Rose

Teams Represented - Leicestershire, Kent, England

Honours - England - Commonwealth Bank Series, World Cup 2007; England Tour to Pakistan and Sri Lanka 2000-01; England A Tour to India and Bangladesh 1994-95

Highlight of Career - Playing in the World Cup for England, winning the Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia; Twenty20 Cup triumphs at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge

Players Admired - David Gower, Ian Botham, Ian Healy, Viv Richards

Relaxations - Watching England rugby

The ever-enthusiastic Paul Nixon enjoyed a marvellous end to the 2009 season, making a career-best 173* in the penultimate Championship game against his former club Kent at Canterbury.

His appetite to take on a new challenge as an opening batsman was there for all to see after returning to the side. Nixon partnered both Greg Smith and Matthew Boyce, who no doubt benefited from his experience at the top of the order.

His return to the side provided a reassuring presence and it showed great character from Nixon after circumstances had gone against him earlier in the season.

A change in wicket-keeper had long been discussed at the club with Tom New waiting in the wings and he took over the role mid-way through the 2009 season. Unfortunately for Nixon, that came at a time when batsmen were in form and he had to wait patiently for a chance to play as a specialist batter.

That meant that Boeta Dippenaar, who took over the captaincy for Twenty20 cricket to give Nixon a break from conducting all of his usual duties, kept the role.

However, he grasped the opportunity when it came and continues to be an important team member.

It is remarkable to think that Nixon has recently turned 39, given he is still one of the fittest players on the circuit. In 2008 he had a fruitful campaign, finishing just 46 runs short of a richly deserved 1,000 for the Championship season.

Prior to that, Nixon knew the 2007 campaign was going to be busy when awarded a benefit, but he could never imagined it was going to turn out as memorable as it did.

The reward for his outstanding performances in 2006, both behind the stumps and with the bat, was an England call-up for the Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia and his part in that triumph led to him going to the World Cup. He also took over the club captaincy mid-way through the season.

Now in his second spell with Leicestershire, he helped the Club to win the Championship twice in his initial period at Grace Road and more recently played a key role in two Twenty20 Cup triumphs. A fierce competitor with an infectious personality, Nixon is a great role model for younger players at the Club.

Nixon's career record for Leics (up to 2009 season):

PA Nixon 2009 (76.28 kB)