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.