Albert Thomas (cricketer)

Albert Edward Thomas (7 June 1893 – 21 March 1965) was a Welsh cricketer who played for Northamptonshire from 1919 to 1933 and Wales in 1927. Thomas was a righthanded batsman and bowled right arm fast-medium pace. He took a career total of 817 wickets for Northants making him the club's fifth highest wicket taker. He died on 21 March 1965 in Kidderminster.

Career

(Adapted from the book '100 greats of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club);

Thomas bowled over 63,000 balls for Northamptonshire, and opposing batsmen scored off of the Welsh medium-pacer at an average of just under two runs an over. It was his control that was a significant feature of the clubs bowling attack following the First World War. Furthermore, his approach to life mirrored his approach to cricket; sound, level-headed and a calming influence on some of his more temperamental colleagues. Billeted in Northampton during the war years, Thomas had attracted the attention of groundsman Alf Stockwin when he came to bowl in the nets at Wantage Road. His debut, against the Australian Imperial Forces side in 1919, was not a great success, but Northampton Grammar School took him on as groundsman and coach, giving Northamptonshire the opportunity to keep tabs on him. They decided to take another look and he justified their interest with 9–30 against Yorkshire at Bradford in 1920 with the last seven wickets only costing him six runs, and one lifting ball hit wicketkeeper Walter Buswell in the eye and put him out of the match.