Nash pays tribute with Hove ton

8:20am Saturday 27th September 2008

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Chris Nash has dedicated his first hundred at Hove to his mentor Dr John Dew.

Dr Dew, who coached Nash from when he was seven years old at Horsham CC, died earlier this month and Nash gave an address at his funeral on Tuesday.

Nash made 106 and although Sussex followed on 193 behind against Yorkshire, the second century of his career looks like helping them stay in the first division.

If Kent lose to Durham at Canterbury, Sussex will be safe. A draw at Hove would also keep Sussex up, providing Kent did not beat Durham.

Nash said: “I hope Dr John would have been proud of me.

“His funeral was a fantastic occasion and gave me a lift coming into the game and hopefully I have given him something to smile about, especially if we go on and save the game and stay up.

“My dad and brother were here and my girlfriend and mum were following it on the internet and it was nice for them as well.

“It was my day. As we have always done, someone has stood up to make a contribution for the team and it was nice to put in a performance.”

Nash has now scored two hundreds in six Championship games. He was left out of the team to play Lancashire last month but reinstated at the last minute and went on to make his maiden first-class century.

He said: “The one thing which has changed in my game since I was dropped is that I have taken away the consequences of failure.

“I was at the lowest point and since then I have just enjoyed myself instead of worrying whether I stayed in the team or not."

Sussex were in desperate trouble at 129-6 yesterday but Nash and Luke Wright (40) put on 64 to take Sussex within reach of 200 and the batting point which could prove crucial to their chances of staying up.

He added: "I needed someone with me to play positively and keep the scoreboard ticking over and Luke did that perfectly. I was disappointed to get out but that 200 might be enough so it was a huge partnership."

Sussex will resume on 118-2 today, still needing 75 to make Yorkshire bat again.