Shane THOMSON

Shane Thomson, the batsman/off-spinner from Northern Districts, was one of the youngbloods who began to be introduced into New Zealand sides in 1990. His contemporaries were people like Chris Cairns, Chris Harris and even Jeff Wilson, who had to abandon his international cricket career when he began touring all year round with the rugby union All Blacks. Despite his perky attitude Thomson had little early success. In 1988-89 he went to Zimbabwe with a young New Zealand side, and then toured Sharjah with the full team in 1989-90. He toured England in 1990 without playing in a Test, and made his debut against Sri Lanka in Hamilton in 1990-91, scoring 36 and 55 and taking one wicket.

At Auckland that season he scored 80 not out to earn New Zealand a draw after they had been reduced to 36 for three. Thomson lost his place against England in 1991-92 and did not return until a 1993-94 visit by Pakistan. In Wellington he made 47 but could not prevent an innings defeat. In Christchurch came his finest hour as he scored 120 not out in a record-breaking partnership with Bryan Young which saw New Zealand successfully chase 324 for victory. In England in 1994 he made 69 and 38 not out at Lord's then in South Africa 84 in Johannesburg and 82 in Durban. He played against the West Indies on their tour to New Zealand in 1994-95. In the 1996 World Cup he made 31 not out and took 3-20 against the United Arab Emirates in Faisalabad. In later years he played cricket in the Netherlands.

(Bob Harragan)