Effervescent cricket coach Paul Nixon, from Langwathby, is preparing for a new role closer to home when a Scottish Super 10 tournament launches later in the summer.
Nixon, a former wicketkeeper/batsman, played professionally for Leicestershire and Kent and represented England during a successful career. He lifted three T20 titles and won two County Championship titles with Leicestershire, where he was head coach between 2017 and 2023.
He has a wealth of limited overs experience which more recently includes coaching roles around the globe — in the T20 Caribbean Premier League and the even shorter form of 10 overs-a-side, in both Abu Dhabi and, latterly, the USA.
During 2023 his star-studded Texas Chargers team were crowned US Masters T10 champions in the Florida competition. Nixon had players including Fidel Edwards, Phil Mustard and Mohammad Hafeez at his disposal.
“Any time you win is really special,” Nixon told the Herald this week.
He spoke as the men’s T20 World Cup continued in the USA, a country where cricket’s star is on the rise thanks to major investment, increased coverage and the arrival of high profile players and coaches, along with enthusiastic ex-pats.
“There have been leagues for a few years. It’s just pulling it all together — that’s the biggest challenge that they have,” said Nixon.
“It is growing the game and making sure people are entertained. That was T10. It was even quicker than T20. It’s over in a flash!
“I’m very proud to have been involved in raising the profile of cricket (in the USA) but I think there’s a long way to go yet. I still think it’s going to take another four or five years to have it a bit more ingrained.
“It depends how much local politicians and government drive it as well. T20 is going to be in the Olympics (at Los Angeles in 2028) — what a great opportunity to see what America can do.
“They’ve got into football and have got into rugby as well. They are a force to be reckoned with wherever they play.”
Nixon is also a Professional Cricketers’ Association ambassador, taking part in fund-raising days which feature games involving stars from yesteryear.
Earlier this year he was named head coach of Dambulla Thunders for the forthcoming Lanka Premier League. However, he revealed that after a player draft pick this had fallen through amid allegations levelled against the team owner and installation of a new management team.
But Nixon is already looking forward to new opportunities. He is preparing for a role as coach for one of six franchises which will compete in the inaugural Scottish Super10 tournament, which is set to start in August. This is the first European competition of its kind outside England.
Six men’s franchises — Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Perth and Dundee — are owned and operated by major private corporate houses from around the world, and will go head-to-head in Aberdeen across 34 T10 matches.
The men’s squads will feature top Scottish and international talent, including Afghanistan star Rashid Khan.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Nixon, whose franchise team will be announced in due course.
