One of the most popular characters at South Launceston, Nichols received congratulations from all corners of the Launceston cricket community after winning a call-up for Saturday's home clash with Ulverstone.

"It was a big 48 hours from when the teams were announced on Thursday night through to the cap presentation and playing on Saturday - a lot of well-wishes and congratulations, it was very overwhelming," he said.

"I've played pretty much 15 years in third grade and the last year and a half in second grade to work my way up to my debut on Saturday.

"It's always been a dream - a very far away dream until the last couple of seasons probably, and even then I never really though it would happen given the depth that we have and have had.

"It means a lot to me personally - the club's like a second family to me."

Arriving at the club as a 17-year-old, Nichols debuted in third grade alongside Knights president and all-rounder Jeremy Jackson in 2004.

Nichols had his cap presented by the same man on Saturday as South romped to a five-wicket win - a vastly different result to when the duo first played together.

"We got absolutely smashed - Riverside made over 300 and had a couple of guys make hundreds and we didn't get to 100 so it was a baptism of fire," Nichols said.

"After 16 years it's come full circle - I've caught up with him and got to play with him in first grade which is really cool."

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A variety of factors have played into Nichols' recent rise through the ranks.

The former St Patrick's College student gained plenty of confidence from a successful season in the UK's Hampshire Cricket League last year and followed up with 22 second-grade scalps in 2019-20.

When recent injuries to South's first-choice quicks opened the door for change, Nichols' strong form ensured his name was top of the list of replacements.

And as his chance finally came, he secured Josh Walmsley - one of Cricket North-West's most dominant batsmen of the past decade - as his maiden A-grade wicket and finished with 1-18 off 10.

"It was unreal - there were so many emotions.

"I don't know exactly how I reacted but I'm sure it looked very funny to everyone, there were a lot of people jumping on top of me."

Set to turn 34 in January, Nichols looks likely to retain his spot for this weekend's clash at Riverside.

Known to many as 'SOC' - he is the son of former NTCA umpire Colin who passed away in 2009 - Nichols hopes to continue the family's cricketing tradition long into the future.

"I'm sure he would have looked down with a big smile from up there on Saturday.

"As long as the body holds up I'll keep playing as long as I can - I love the game and I love the club and the mateship. I'm a one-club player which is important to me as well - I'll just keep going while I still can."

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