Alan “Froggy” Thomson died on October 31, 2022, aged 76. He had played four Test matches and an ODI, and was remembered in the 2023 Wisden Almanack.
Alan Lloyd Thomson, who died on October 31 at the age of 76, was commonly known as ‘Froggy’, but this was not, as many thought, due to his unique bowling movements. It was his raspy, youthful voice that earned him that nickname. by schoolmates. However, on the field, his unique approach and performance left an immediate impression on both batsmen and spectators. “His run-up reminds me of A Clockwork Soldier,” writes Ray Robinson. “When he reaches the batting crease, the action of changing foot at the sailor horn whistle makes it appear as if he is bowling with the wrong foot. It is an illusion, but if he opens his chest and It’s no illusion to see him move the ball up the field.”
Thomson told cricket writer Ken Piece what happened: But when I do that, I still end up laughing. As a child, I wasn’t a gymnast, but I could run – and my abilities didn’t develop until I was about 9 years old. ” Ian Chappell, who fought Thomson several times, wrote: I had a really hard time seeing the ball. He was active, but he wasn’t very fast. And he was so forward that we put his ball back in play. It wasn’t too difficult for me, but he could take a shot or two away from you. ”
Thomson made his first appearance for Victoria at the end of the 1968/69 season and made an immediate impact, taking 11 wickets against the touring West Indians. The following summer, at the age of 18, he took 55 wickets, above the first-class average, and in 1970/71 he was again the leading wicket-taker, although each of his 51 wickets cost 30. He managed to break the 100 mark in 16 first-class matches. It was considered Ray Illingworth’s secret weapon in England’s 1970/71 season, but it was made even more difficult on the anesthetized pitches prepared for the test. His 12 wickets in four games cost 54 each, his best score being 3-79 in his last appearance at Adelaide, where he was assisted by young paceman Dennis Lilly from Perth. Thomson played his first official one-day international in place of the washout Test at the MCG in January 1971, and was proud of taking his first wicket in the format. Geoff Boycott cleverly intercepted Bill Lawrie’s rebound at square leg.
Country teammate Keith Stackpole said Thomson had been plagued by a shoulder injury this summer, which had slowed him down by a meter. “In Victoria’s game against MCC, Froggy took nine wickets, earning him the nickname “Tommy Gun”.” After his fifth Test, his title was changed to “Water Gun”, which of course he didn’t particularly like. ”
Mr Stackpole felt that Thomson’s choice of test was “a year too late”. A bowler with unconventional movements can only stay at the top for a limited time, and the element of surprise quickly disappears. ” Indeed, by the end of the 1974-75 season he had disappeared from first-class cricket, as another Thomson emerged as England’s bogeyman. Original had a long career as a teacher and briefly refereed Australian Rules football matches, but later suffered from health problems. He suffered from a long-term lung infection that limited his mobility and ultimately hastened his death. He broke his hip in a fall and did not survive surgery.
Alan “Froggy” Thomson stood in four Test matches and took the first wicket in ODI history.
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