There have been occasions, throughout his 4 seasons or so with Derbyshire, that Alex Thomson seemed an excellent bowler certainly.
There was his 7-65 at Cardiff in April 2024 and his 3-26 towards Yorkshire at Chesterfield later that 12 months, when he dismissed Malan, Lyth and Masood in his first over. Even in his final Derbyshire look, towards Leicestershire in July, he scored 55 and took 4-81.
He might bat and he might bowl. Maybe he did not rating fairly sufficient runs to be seen as a real all-rounder, or take sufficient common wickets to safe the one spinning berth within the facet. He had an excellent pair of fingers within the area and held his share of blinding catches.
He did not have the most effective of luck with accidents they usually held him again prior to now two years. Nor do I feel it was useful that he was labelled as having England potential by Mickey Arthur, in a usually bullish remark quickly after his arrival. He was by no means a primary selection usually sufficient for that and it maybe put undue stress on him. Nor did pitches at Derby assist him, as extra matches at Chesterfield would have performed.
The signing of Jack Morley and the emergence of Joe Hawkins meant that one thing needed to give within the spinning space. As is often the case, the older man needed to make means. I’m sufficiently old to recollect when Leicester Metropolis had each Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton on their books and determined to promote the then England legend. The writing has been on the wall for a while and with the squad being tweaked for 2026, a departure appeared inevitable.
Alex was by no means a world star however he all the time gave of his finest and was an interesting, affable and approachable member of the squad, widespread amongst supporters for that alone. He likes his canine too, which made him greater than all proper in my e-book, whereas his altering hair types have been usually worthy of observe.
I’m positive that he’ll make successful of his profession wherever it takes him. Equally in order that lots of you’ll be part of me in wishing him nicely.
Many thanks and finest needs for the longer term, Alex
