I had known the background to the story for some time but a combination of respect for the player, his family and the club, plus the fact that there were legal ramifications meant that I carefully dead-batted any questions from readers.
It is a shame that Tom has effectively lost this season, after working so hard to get on to the County staff for a number of years. There is no doubt that he would have been an asset in the Vitality Blast and I am sure he will want to make a statement as to his ability in the forthcoming Royal London Cup. With Madsen and du Plooy missing, logically he and Harry Came have opportunities to impress.
It won't be easy for him, as he has had little to no net work for several months, but the work ethic that got him onto the staff will serve him well.
It is just a shame that an ingredient in an inhaler he has used since he was ten caused such a problem. Perhaps had the club medical staff not been so preoccupied with Covid they could have picked it up, but what's done is done. There was no intention, nor suggestion of anything being used for performance enhancement and it is just frustrating that a career can be slowed in such a manner.
Slowed, yet not stopped. It is good to read of the support he has had from the PCA and the club, while Mickey Arthur has welcomed him back into the fold tonight on Twitter.
Let's hope Tom discovers his best form in the remainder of the summer and shows Mickey and all of us his undoubted talent.
Like all county fans, I wish him well.
I think this incident falls into the "incredibly unlucky" category. I really feel for Tom on this one, he can't be the only cricketer in the country who uses an inhaler. It will be a wake-up call for medical staff everywhere.
ReplyDeleteTom seems a very popular lad among the county's support, I hope he emerges stronger from this adversity.