Nic Bills Claims 500th First Grade Wicket
In the final match of First Grade's T20 campaign, our captain, Nic Bills, took his 500th wicket in the top grade in NSW Premier Cricket.
Nic made his First Grade debut for the Bears in November 2009 aged 17, earning cap number 615. He became a mainstay of the side in 2010/11 and took 47 wickets in 16 matches at 15.83, including his career best figures of 6/17. This made an irrepressible case for higher honours. Nic played his only Sheffield Shield match in March 2011, bowling first change and removing a pair of future internationals in Marcus Harris and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Nic remained at the Bears until the end of the 2013-14 season. He left for Manly at the age of 22 after an astonishing 172 First Grade wickets in just over five seasons, and having been a key member of the squad which won the First Grade Limited Overs Cup in 2012/13. In the same season, he and James Campbell combined to put on 156 against Bankstown, setting the club's record partnership for the tenth wicket, with Nic making his career best score of 96* at number 10. This record made Nic a shoo-in for the club's Team of the Decade when it was selected in 2020.
Before returning to the Bears this season, Nic spent the prior seven years at Sydney, returning five 40+ wicket seasons, of which three involved 50+ wickets, and holding coaching and selector roles. We're thrilled to have him return to where it all began and share his experience and leadership qualities with the playing group.
Nic's 500th First Grade wicket was his tenth of the season in five T20 matches, and his 182nd for North Sydney at an average of 19.50. He becomes the 54th player in the long history of NSW Premier Cricket to reach the illustrious 500 milestone.
Congratulations, Nic, and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones!