Laurence John Nash

A brilliant Australian Rules footballer, Nash had an unusual career in international cricket as an aggressive fast bowler and a hard hitting batsman. Nash did not play Shield cricket, but played 17 times for Tasmania and once for Victoria. He had a storybook debut for Australia in 1931-32, against the South Africans on the MCG. He took 5/22 in the match, but had to wait another five years for his second and last Test appearance. He took 5/104 in the match against the English.

Nash was born in Melbourne in 1910, and came to Tasmania in 1927, making his first-class debut two years later, before returning to Melbourne in April, 1932 to pursue a V.F.L. career.

In three seasons for Tasmania, Nash proved a highly competent all-round cricketer. In that time he rattled up 857 runs and took 51 wickets. Nash's football achievements overshadow his mark in cricket. Laurie joined City in the N.T.F.A. in 1930. In the same year he was chosen to play for Tasmania. Laurie won the N.T.F.A. best and fairest award in 1931 and 1932 while with City.

In 1933, he transferred to South Melbourne and was a member of its last premiership side in that year. Laurie played 99 games for South Melbourne between 1933 and 1937 and his last year of football, at 36 years of age, in 1945. He was just as big a sensation in Victoria as he was in Tasmania. Laurie was one of the best all-round sportsmen of his day.