Darren Thomson - don't make things complicated
Newcastle and Hunter Districts Veterans Cricket Club | July 11, 2023
Darren Thomson made his debut for the Newcastle and Hunter Veterans’ cricket team at the NSW Over 50s Championships on the Central Coast in February 2021 and made an immediate impact with his high action and economical bowling.
Playing for Hunter against Newcastle in the final of the Northern NSW Stirling and Dawn Hamman Cup, Thomson in a man of the match performance took 4 for 15 off 8 over to secure victory for his team.
In March 2023 Darren was selected in the NSW Over 50s Blues cricket team and is the very proud owner of NSW Over 50s Blues Cap Number 52.
Let’s find out more about Darren’s journey in the game
Mitch Woods presents Darren Thomson with his NSW Over 50s Blues Cap
NSW Over 50s Blues - Cooper Finlay Cup v Queensland March 2023 - Darren Thomson standing in the back row 3rd in from the right.
What year you were born?
1971
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Age 8 and didn’t do too well at all
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played majority of my cricket in Singleton for JPC, Creeks, PCH before moving to Parkes and playing for Railway and Coachman. We moved back to the Hunter Valley and I’m now currently playing for Greta / Branxton in club cricket. 2021 saw me start playing Hunter Veterans
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
3rd grade at 13 years old
At what age did you make your first-grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
16 years old and I batted 11th and didn’t bowl
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Bowling all-rounder
What are your strengths as a player?
Determination, competitive dedication, team player
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
132 runs for PCH in Singleton
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7 for 32 against Army for Creeks in Singleton
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Josh Hazelwood – he was quick as a young fellow
Clint McKay – his experience
Danny Johnson
Josh Hazelwood
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Mark Unicomb – Always bowled well to me
Garry Maskay - he was cunning and knew how to bowl people out
Cameron Ross - smart bowler.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Matt Kelly -he just hard to get out and had pride in his wicket
Anthony Heraghty- he could take a team apart in the space of a few overs
Bruce Whatham – I started playing with him at the end of his career and he just had pure talent.
Anthony Heraghty
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Matt Kelly – Glendon where in trouble one day and Matt came out and got a 100 and saved them. His talent behind the bat never let the side down.
Notable mention to Daniel Thrift who batted at number 10 and scored 100 in a semi final
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?
Warren Gillespie – from his nagging pace and line and length
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket and you really had to knuckle down to survive?
My 1st game of senior representative cricket
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Luke Knight - Singleton
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Cameron Rosser from Parkes and Matt Kelly in Singleton
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Bruce Whatham – he was my 1st captain
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Brent Watson – Greta/Branxton
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Golden Duck and Broken nose in the same ball
Who was your childhood hero?
Dennis Lillee
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Dennis Lillee , The Rock , Tiger Woods
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Bill Lawry
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Howe Park Singleton – it’s where I made my first 100
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
In recent times it would be Mulbring, they are such a successful club in Cessnock
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Scoring 100 in Parkes the week after I buried my mum, she was my biggest fan. Also being selected in the NSW Over 50s Blues to play Queensland in Toowoomba and scoring 40 not out on debut to help the team set a total that turned out to be a winning one.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
I can think of 2.
2006 when I captained JPC 1st grade to a win in the Grand Final and 2021 Greta/Branxton winning the Grand Final
2021 Greta/Branxton Premiers
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Stuart Robinson, Greg Thrift and Matt Kelly
You’re now playing over 50s cricket, what the best part of playing veterans cricket and what advice would you offer anyone over 50 who is thinking about playing again?
Great comradery , No BS , to anyone who is over 50 I’d advise you to get on board to prolong your cricketing career.
What are your hobbies?
Cricket and Golf and spending time with my grandchildren (3 and another on the way)
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t make things complicated and play your own game
What is your occupation?
Operator at Mt Arthur with Theiss
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
More country cricket exposure and more support for Junior Cricket
