Meet the Cricketer: Gareth Thomas (Perry) – Halkyn CC
Full Name
Gareth Wyn Thomas
Date of birth
22.08.1972
Current Team
Halkyn CC
Age took up cricket
9 years old
Style of Batting
Awful hit and hope
Style of Bowling
Slow medium right arm
Highest Batting Score
43 not out – Marchwiel 2010
Best Bowling
9 wkts for 20 odd against Shotton in the early 90’s
Awards
North Wales Division One Bowling Award 1999; Premier Division Bowling Award 2005
Most catches in a game
This season Buckley – 3
Best bowler faced
Mushtaq Ahmed
Best Batsman played against
Pick any of Brymbo top 3 in the 90’s – Mark Jones, Stewart Williams or Nigel Roberts
Favourite away ground
Northop or Pontblyddyn
Strengths to play
Just enjoy the game
Weaknesses to play
I’m blind as a bat so struggle at certain grounds picking ball up
Favourite county
Glamorgan
Favourite international team
Love watching New Zealand – honest bunch who produce great players without importing them
Batting idol
Loved watching Viv Richards
Bowling idol
Ian Botham
Most memorable game played in
Been a few – remember being bowled out by Brymbo in the 90’s for 66 then bowling them out for same score to tie game.
Representive cricket played
Lucky to play and captain Flintshire for several seasons and also play for North Wales when representative cricket was strong.
Highlight of cricket career
Helping Halkyn win the Flintshire Knockout for first time and also when appointed county captain and receiving county cap
Ambition in cricket
To play with my son in the same team. He has just turned 11 and started playing for Pontblyddyn this season and loves the game. Just want to play for as long as possible
World Cup Final 2019 – best one day match ever?
For me, you will never beat the South Africa v Australia game in 2006 when South Africa chased down 400 plus, I remember it was a Sunday afternoon and I watched game on Sky at home rather than go with the lads for a few pints to watch the football
Other sports involved in
Heavily involved in youth football set up at Halkyn as chairman as well as coaching the under 12s.
Advice to young cricketers
Play and enjoy the game at your local club. The game is losing numbers in droves but give it all on the pitch then make time to socialise after game with opposition and you will find you will have mates for life.