Glamorgan pace bowler Greg Thomas was genuinely fast, but injury wrecked his chance of developing into a force at Test level. Meanwhile, the Caribbean in 1985-86 wasn't the place to make your debut. Confronted by Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes & Co., Thomas took only eight wickets at 45.50 as England lost all five Tests. He was also bowled by the first ball he faced in Test cricket - but as a bowler he left a sense of what might have been. His career begun in 1979, with Thomas making his debut against the Sri Lankans at Swansea. However, he did not become a regular in the county side until 1984, after completing his college studies and after surgery for a stress fracture in his back. He showed that he had fully recovered by producing some fiery spells for both Glamorgan and Border in South Africa. His pace and hostility also won Thomas a place on England`s tour to the West Indies in 1985-86, but his career interupted by further ailments and injuries, and remarkably Thomas` most productive summer was in 1988 when he claimed 48 first-class wickets at an average of 31. While he could deliver the ball at blistering pace, he was also erratic at times, and steadily became frustrated by the slow Welsh wickets. He felt these were hindering his claims of gaining further Test recognition. As a result, he moved to Northamptonshire in 1989 and in 1989-90 threw in his lot with Mike Gatting on the rebel England tour of South Africa. In 1990 he took a career-best 7 for 75, ironically for Northants against Glamorgan, but he lost his place the following year after a pelvic injury, and was forced to retire at the end of the 1991 season.
Andrew Hignell

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