Vincent Olise
British-Nigerian former cricketer (born 1960)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vincent Olise (born 2 January 1960),[1] nicknamed Pa Feelings,[1] is a British-Nigerian[2][3] former international cricketer who played for the Nigeria national cricket team from 1983 to 1990. Since his retirement in 2002, he serves as a deacon at Hayes Town Chapel. He is the father of footballers Michael and Richard Olise.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 January 1960 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nickname | Pa Feelings |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Relations | Michael Olise (son) Richard Olise (son) |
| International information | |
| National side |
|
| Domestic team information | |
| Years | Team |
| 1977 | Government College Ughelli |
| 1977 | Bendel State |
| 1978–1982 | Lagos State |
| 1982–1986 | Oyo State |
| 1982–1986 | University of Ife |
| 1986–1990 | Foundations Cricket Club |
| 1990–1993 | British West Indian Cricket Club |
| 1993–2002 | London Nigerians Cricket Club |
Olise was an all-rounder; he began his career as an opening batsman and fielder, though he later became a right-arm 1st change bowler after his coaching by cricketers Ewa Henshaw and Chris Enahoro. During his career, he had spells in both Nigerian and English domestic cricket, the latter beginning when he immigrated to London in 1990. Olise was also called up to the Nigeria national cricket team in 1983 and represented his country internationally until 1990, during which his playstyle was likened to that of Jonty Rhodes.
Olise remained active within English domestic cricket until 2002, having most recently played for London Nigerians Cricket Club, before his retirement aged 42.
Early life
Vincent Olise was born on 2 January 1960 in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] He descends from the Urhobo people who inhabit the Niger Delta.[3]
Domestic career
Olise began his cricket career while still in education, as he began playing for Government College Ughelli's cricket team in 1977, aged 17, and simultaneously played for Bendel State's regional cricket team in the same year.[1] When he turned 18 in 1978, he joined the Lagos State cricket team, where he remained from 1978 to 1982.[4] In 1982, Olise moved to Oyo State to attend university, and played for the University of Ife's cricket team alongside Oyo State cricket team.[1] During his stint with the team, he was part of the line-up that lost to the University of Lagos in the NUGA finals in 1984.[1] Olise subsequently returned to play for Lagos State from 1986 to 1990, simultaneously playing club cricket for Foundations Cricket Club.[1]
In 1990, Olise migrated from Nigeria to England and settled in London, where he joined the British West Indian Cricket Club. He remained with the club for three years and, in 1993, moved to the London Nigerians Cricket Club, where he remained until his retirement in 2002 aged 42.[1]
International career
Olise made his international debut for the Nigeria national cricket team in 1983. During the West African Quadrangular tournament against Gambia, Olise took all ten wickets in a single innings, which equalled the national record set by Chris Enahoro.[5][6][7] Following this performance he was dubbed Nigeria's Jonty Rhodes.[1] He played for the Nigeria national cricket team until 1990.[8]
Personal life
Following his retirement from cricket, Olise remained in London where he has served as a deacon at Hayes Town Chapel[9] ever since.[10][11] Olise married Franco-Algerian Mina and has two sons,[12] Michael and Richard, who are both footballers.
Olise plays badminton, and enjoys gardening, keeping fit and football in his spare time.[1]