Richard Isaacs talks to Nic Pothas

Nic Pothas Photo Vic Isaacs

The pull of being offered more wicket-keeping opportunities was one of the main attractions that satisfied Nic Pothas when he shunned a host of other counties and joined Hampshire.

Pothas, the 28-year-old from Johannesburg creeps under the wire in the county cricket by virtue of holding a Greek passport, a family link with the European country allows him to play as a non-overseas player, much in the same way as players like Joe Scuderi at Lancashire and Kevin Pietersen at Nottinghamshire.

It seems to be all the rage in county cricket at present, and Hampshire has joined this growing trend by signing the South African.

But his link with Hampshire coach Jimmy Cook was also a swaying factor. Pothas made his first class debut at the Wanderers for Transvaal in October 1993 alongside Cook, who characteristically hit 102 out of his states' 602-9dec first innings total. South African test star Darryl Cullinan top scored with 337*!

On signing a two-year contract, Pothas was looking forward to the challenge that county cricket holds. "I knew what the situation was at Hampshire when I signed. But the other counties that showed an interest wanted me to play specifically as a batter.

"At Hampshire, I know I will be keeping in the one-day games and when Adrian Aymes decides to call it a day, then I would like to hope I would take over.

"Hampshire was the best place for me to come in that respect, but also Jimmy Cook is here too and he is someone I have played with and be coached under. The point that he has played and coached county cricket also is a bonus."

A little known fact about him is that he has represented his country in three one-day internationals, during the Godrej Singapore Challenge in August 2000, playing as a keeper in the absence of Mark Boucher.

Batting just the once, on his debut, he struck 24 batting at number seven.

Now, having pinned his hopes on a career in county cricket, he is classed as an overseas player in his own country – "you cannot be a local cricketer for two first-class sides in a twelve month period. I have sat out the last year at home, with the aim of playing here in England."

He has played 86 first-class matches and scored 3889 runs at an average of 36, with a highest score of 165 – for South African Combined Universities against the touring Englishmen that contained his new captain, Robin Smith.

Pothas could not remember having met Smith in the past – it was only when he was reminded that for former England batsman held the catch that ended his lengthy innings did it occur to him that he probably had …. cursed him at some point !!!

"Robin has been superb, as all the lads have since I arrived. It has been way beyond my expectations. Generally, when you go to a new place, there are guys you do not get on with but here, there is not one single person I have not enjoyed.

"Robin is down to earth, simple in his techniques and simple in the things he does. I am really looking forward to the season ahead, but have made no immediate personal aspirations for my performance.

"I have made no run targets or catches targets or targets to be playing for England in two or three years time. I just want to be as successful as possible and see the club winning trophies."

© Hampshire Cricket