He served as anchor during the Ashes of 2005 for Channel 4, producing several memorable commentary lines, demonstrating genuine excitement and elation at the events he was describing. The most famous was, 'Oh! Stephen Harmison, with a slower ball, one of the great balls! Given the moment, given the batsman and given the match, that is a staggering gamble that's paid off for Harmison. he bowled that perfectly' after Harmison's slower ball dismissed Michael Clarke at the end of Saturday's play in the 2nd Test at Edgbaston. Others include, 'Crikey O'Reilly!' after a Kevin Pietersen six, "Beauty, yes! Magnificent cricket from this man" after Andrew Flintoff had Ricky Ponting caught behind, 'Oh, yes! That's that, Andrew Flintoff is very special!' after Flintoff wrapped up Australia's innings, also at the 2nd Test at Edgbaston and his particularly insightful "That is very good" after Simon Jones's dismissal of Michael Clarke in the 3rd Test at Old Trafford after the ball, which looked to be a safe leave, cut back and knocked over the batsman's off stump. He also gave a memorable description of Ricky Ponting being out on the final day at Old Trafford in the 3rd Test. When umpire Billy Bowden put up the finger, Nicholas shouted "He's given it out! Out! Ricky Ponting is out!" It must be noted however that Nicholas now expresses similar elation at home wickets with his new Australian employers, for example he "couldn't see" in his words, that Australian batsman Brett Lee was lbw to English spinner Monty Panesar in the 2006/07 Ashes, even though replays showed it to be "plum". His signature cry is "By Heaven!" whenever something remarkable happens during play (usually a six-hit), although this has been scarcely used in the 2006/07 Ashes series. He is also notable for the saying, "That's maximum" when a six has been hit.