Former Hampshire captain Mark Nicholas steps back from cricket commentary after health scare

Former Hampshire batsman Mark Nicholas is to take leave from his role as a cricket commentator after twice being taken to hospital during the course of Australia's Boxing Day Test against Pakistan this week
Mark Nicholas
Picture: Nigel French/PA WireMark Nicholas
Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire
Mark Nicholas Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire

The 59-year-old first fell ill on the opening day of the Test and was reportedly taken out of the MCG on a stretcher. He had not been on air when he began to feel ill.

Nicholas was absent on the second day of the match but returned on Wednesday, only to feel ill again shortly after interviewing Pakistan great Wasim Akram during the tea interval.

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Channel Nine announced ahead of the fourth day’s play that Nicholas will now take a break.

“Mark is taking leave to resolve his health issues,” a Channel Nine spokesperson said. “He wants to thank everyone again for their kind wishes and continued support.”

Nicholas, who captained Hampshire to four one-day trophies and also led England A during his 18-year playing career, has fronted cricket coverage in Australia for over a decade and is also part of Channel 5’s England coverage in the UK.

He hit more than 18,000 runs in a career that lasted from 1978 to 1995.