Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Year Book 2014

41 Sheffield Cricket Lovers’ Society of luck winning the first point and that changed the momentum. “Jonah Barrington (six-time British champion) once said that the hardest games to win are the third game when you’re 2-0 up or the fifth game if you’ve came back from 2-0 down. And he’s someone who is worth listening to!” Nick is achieving similar status within the sport as Barrington and he intends to enjoy the remainder of the 2013 tournament schedule. “I’ve a tournament in Qatar in November and then there’s Hong Kong in December before Christmas. I’m just going to relax and enjoy myself and try not to think about it too much. “It’s our turn to have everyone over for Christmas so I’m looking forward to cooking the turkey - it can’t be more difficult than playing Gaultier!” Sheffield Wednesday fan Nick also said hearing about the Owls first victory of the season against the day before the final helped keep him relaxed. “I stayed up to watch the Football League show so I was asleep a bit later than I should probably be for a final,” he said. I haven’t been watching it when they don’t win so I’ve not seen it very often recently.” His long-time coach, David Pearson, said this can be the start of a period of dominance for World No 4 Matthew, who also won the world title in 2010 and 2011. “Nick still believes another one or two world titles are within his grasp,” Pearson said. “He will still be in with a realistic chance of doing well in it for at least another year. “Nick is still young in the body and keen as mustard so there is definitely another year and a bit left in him. “He is not a jaded athlete. Most people at 33 are guys who are getting on but he isn’t. “Nick became the second oldest player after Geoff Hunt to win it but when Geoff won it, that was near the end of his career whereas Nick is still fresh. You can never write Nick off.” Given his protege’s exploits, Pearson, a consultant for English National Squash, thinks Matthew has cemented his place as one of the greats in the sport. “Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan won so much, it is very hard compare or compete with them but I think after that Nick is right up there,” he said. “Peter Nicol was number one for five years but in terms of titles Nick is probably the greatest ever English player there has ever been. “For me, he is the greatest English squash player ever. Without a shadow of a doubt. “There are not many people who have won three world titles, three British Open titles and double Commonwealth gold like Nick has. “To win the worlds three times is the icing on the cake for him. He has worked for everything he has earned. His achievement in a lot of ways is greater than a lot of theirs because no one ever would have thought he would have done these things. “Those guys had the pedigree when they were young. What he has achieved is phenomenal.” What happens next for Nick is up to him. Surely he should join the others with a few letters after his name though? www.sheffieldcricketlovers.org.uk