Thomson ‘surprised’ to receive top player award
ALEX Thomson admits it came as a bit of a shock to be called up on stage at Warwickshire’s end-of-season awards ceremony.
The all-rounder was helping to toast a successful season for the Bears, which saw them reclaim their County Championship Division One place at the first attempt.
But there was recogition for the 24-year-old former Leek Cricket Club captain as well as he was named Warwickshire second-team player of the season and joined the likes of England batsman Ian Bell in scooping an award on the night.
The accolade was rich reward after Thomson impressed in his first season as a professional after he was snapped up by the county following some eyecatching performances for Staffordshire and Leek.
He played two Championship games for the Bears in 2017 once their relegation from the top flight was confirmed and he was subsequently offered a one-year deal. And although additional four-day appearances have eluded Thomson this summer as Warwickshire won the Division Two title, it didn’t stop him making an impact at Edgbaston.
Thomson, who captained Leek to Talbot Cup success in 2017 and a third-placed finish in the North Staffs and South Cheshire League Premier Division, made his List A debut in a 50-over contest against West Indies A, before making his first-team Twenty20 bow against Lancashire.
Those appearances were the icing on the cake for the Thomson, who made a superb impression at second-team level.
He registered three centuries - including two in one match against Nottinghamshire seconds - and also continued to chip in with valuable wickets with his off-spin.
Still, the Cardiff University graduate says he didn’t expect to be honoured for his season’s efforts.
“The award came as a bit of a surprise. There’s a lot of talented players in the dressing room who have turned in some outstanding performances, so I’m very pleased,” said Thomson, who put his plans to be a teacher on hold to turn professional.
“The season was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I was happy with how my three-day cricket developed, but I’ve got areas to work on in the white-ball stuff.
“I know I’ve got to knuckle down and keep improving, but I was delighted to make my List A debut, play in the Twenty20 and keep pushing for a first-team spot.
“It was always going to be a big season for me because it was my first year as a professional.
“It was a step up, but I’ve worked hard with the coaches and I’ve got the backing of the staff.
“All I’ve done is try to do my job and being in that enviroment, with incredible pros, has certainly helped.”
Thomson’s exploits have seen him rewarded with a contract extension which ties him to the club until the end of next season.
He admits that it was always going to be a tough ask to add to his County Championship appearances this year, but he was delighted to be given a chance in the short format against Lancashire at Old Trafford in August.
And he certainly delivered as he claimed 4-35 from his four overs, before making 14 with the bat in a losing cause.
“I didn’t necessarily think I’d play first-team cricket this year, especially with the squad we have,” he explained.
“We’ve got Chris Woakes who plays for England, then another couple of lads who are pushing for international calls. And then there’s the exinterntaional players as well, so it’s going to be very dificult to knock them out of a spot.
“My T20 debut came as a surprise. I spoke to the coaches in the week and they said there was a possibility I might play, so start thinking about your plans.
“We didn’t get confirmation until 5pm on the day and the game and it was a great experience. I’d never played in front of a crowd that big and it was great that my mum managed to finish work in time to see me play.”
Thomson, armed with that fresh deal, is now eyeing up further improvement next season. A stint playing club cricket in Australia this winter is in the offing before he sets his sights on helping Warwickshire establish themselves back in Division One.
Thomson, who now plays his league cricket for Moseley in the Birmingham and Distrct League Premier Division, says there are areas to work on - but he has a great mentor in former New Zealand spinner Jeetan Patel.
“There’s going to be a difference in the quality of cricket next year, but it doesn’t change for me because every match is like a cup final,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter whether we are playing Surrey or Leicestershire, I still want to do the best I can.
“Every pro is ambitious and wants to keep getting contract extensions and be regularly pushing for the first team.
“We’ve had our appraisals and we’ve addressed the season as a whole. I’m looking to improve my white-ball cricket and be a bit more prominent in that.
“There’s also a few amendments to the red-ball game and I know I’m not the finished article in any format.
“I’m in the fortunate position of having Jeetan Patel in the dressing room.”