There was his 7-65 at Cardiff in April 2024 and his 3-26 against Yorkshire at Chesterfield later that year, when he dismissed Malan, Lyth and Masood in his first over. Even in his last Derbyshire appearance, against Leicestershire in July, he scored 55 and took 4-81.
He could bat and he could bowl. Perhaps he didn't score quite enough runs to be seen as a genuine all-rounder, or take enough regular wickets to secure the one spinning berth in the side. He had a good pair of hands in the field and held his share of blinding catches.
He didn't have the best of luck with injuries and they held him back in the past two years. Nor do I think it was helpful that he was labelled as having England potential by Mickey Arthur, in a typically bullish comment soon after his arrival. He was never a first choice often enough for that and it perhaps put undue pressure on him. Nor did pitches at Derby help him, as more matches at Chesterfield would have done.
The signing of Jack Morley and the emergence of Joe Hawkins meant that something had to give in the spinning area. As is usually the case, the older man had to make way. I am old enough to remember when Leicester City had both Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton on their books and decided to sell the then England legend. The writing has been on the wall for some time and with the squad being tweaked for 2026, a departure seemed inevitable.
Alex was never an international star but he always gave of his best and was an engaging, affable and approachable member of the squad, popular among supporters for that alone. He likes his dogs too, which made him more than all right in my book, while his changing hair styles were often worthy of note.
I am sure that he will make a success of his career wherever it takes him. Equally so that many of you will join me in wishing him well.
Many thanks and best wishes for the future, Alex
I still prefer him to Morley, more consistent line and length, also a better batsman and fielder. Good luck to him, hope he gets a chance elsewhere. Grant from Telford
ReplyDeleteIt's experience, Grant. He didn't make his debut for Warwickshire until he was 24, the same age that Morley is now. Jack will get better and Edwin Smith has always told me a spinner doesn't know his game until he is 30. In the modern game, many are released by that stage. The advent of Joe Hawkins always made this likely, though he has a lot of learning to do and mistakes to make!
DeleteI'm quite sad to see Thomson go. I mean he:
ReplyDeleteCould bat
Could bowl
Could field
To a very good standard in all 3 formats.
A very useful player who in my opinion was largely under utilised and messed around by Arthur as evidenced by his pretty good final performance in July which was rewarded with never being seen again.
Hawkins looks one for the future and thankfully can bat but not seeing enough from Morley yet.
I'm inclined to agree, I'm yet to be convinced by Morley. He bowls too many loose deliveries, I could understand it if he was a leggie.
DeleteThomson offered more consistency with the ball, and more potential with the bat. However, as pointed out, time is on Morley's side, so let's hope he finds more consistency. The emergence of Hawkins has probably hastened his departure.
Good luck to Alex. I, for one, shall always remember that first over at Queen's Park against Yorkshire!
Would just like to add my appreciation Steve, for all you do with this blog. So good to read your considered, and balanced views about all things related to Derbyshire CCC. It's a must read for me, and I'm sure, many others.
Alex had a hand injury in that last innings, which ended his season. Thomson is a useful player, especially away from the Derby wickets. Kris
ReplyDeleteVery sad to see Alex go. That over against Yorkshire in the T20 last year when he took three wickets will live long in my memory.
ReplyDeleteBut more than just the cricket, he is simply a very nice guy. He always took the time to come and say hello whenever he saw me (although that might have been more to do with my accompanying dog as he has the same breed!) and ask how things were which I always appreciated.
I hope whatever he does next goes well for him.
Also sad to see Alex leave. He’s a little unlucky. Didn’t have many bad days but I suppose maybe not quite enough really good ones either. It’s getting harder season on season for spin bowlers with only Leach Harmer Dawson and Parkinson getting a regular bowl for there respective counties. Good luck to Alex in the future
ReplyDeleteMorley seems to come in for quite a lot of criticism but I thought he had quite a decent season on wickets not offering that much assistance. He sometimes looks a bit flustered if batsman go after him early on but he’s still very young like you say and I think he will develop into a very good red ball player
ReplyDeleteI think this is the right decision for both parties. Thomson undoubtedly has ability, but never did enough to cement himself as an automatic pick at 7. I wish him well.
ReplyDeleteMarkB
Think he is possibly a bit unlucky as I would pick him in the T20 team as he is a better bat than Morley and whilst Hawkins can bat he is likely going to be targeted when he bowls.
ReplyDeleteI do take the point though that if Thomson had stayed then Hawkins would get limited opportunities. I assume Hawkins is around all summer and not heading off to University ?
Best Wishes to Alex for the future.
We do really need to be producing more first team cricketers from our pathway. I suspect Hawkins won't be as good as Thomson in the short term, but it's a route that can't constantly be blocked off. Kris
ReplyDeleteLike many, I'm sad to see Alex go. I always enjoyed watching him bowl and he's a thoroughly decent man too. The world would be a better place if more people were like Alex Thomson. I do hope he finds a landing place somewhere.
ReplyDeleteSad to see Thomson. Though probably the right move.
ReplyDeleteIt's obviously a legitimate strategy to invest in a young, inexperienced player, perhaps prioritising the future over the now. It's just odd that we have clearly been doing this with the spinner role - but not with the opening bat, where Wagstaff has been starved of opportunity.
I’d argue it’s the right call but it’s one that leaves you feeling sad. Came across as a very decent bloke and was the kind of cricketer you were willing to do well. Thanks Alex, and very best wishes for your next step.
ReplyDeleteChris in Shropshire.
I feel sad for him. Always felt he was badly treated; seemed to get shunted in and out of the side even when he performed well.
ReplyDeleteon the flip side, on balance it's probably the right decision. spinners tend to develop later and with morely still young and the establishment of Hawkins, something had to give and it makes sense that it is Thompson. We need to give our pathway players greater opportunity so felt it was inevitable.
I wish him well for the future
Facet