Published: Sep 22, 2015, 06:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 22, 2015, 06:50 PM (IST)
South Africa fast bowler Alfonso Thomas is all set to leave the English County club Somerset at the end of the ongoing season. The right-arm pacer, who joined the County team back in 2008, turned out to be one of the key players for the side, often leading the team in the absence of the regular captain Marcus Trescothick. Since his debut in the 2008 season, Thomas claimed 306 wickets in 91 First-Class matches, and scored 1,852 runs during his stint. Thomas claimed more than 100 wickets for Somerset in the 2010 season itself.
Thomas was quoted as saying by the BBC, “It’s been great fun but like all good things they eventually come to an end. I’m intending to remain in cricket — either continuing to play or by making the transition into coaching — it was a great privilege to be asked by Gary Kirsten to work with his bowlers during the IPL (Indian Premier League) in India this year that I really enjoyed.” ALSO READ: Delhi Daredevils rope in Alfonso Thomas as fast-bowling coach
The cricketer has quite a few records to his name: he became the highest wicket-taker in T20s in 2013, and now finishes at the fourth spot in the list. In the 2014 season, Thomas claimed four wickets in four balls during a clash against Sussex. ALSO READ: Alfonso Thomas’s 4 wickets in 4 balls and list of all such achievements in First-Class cricket
The club’s director of cricket Matt Maynard said, “Alfonso has proved himself to be one of the best bowlers in one-day cricket — particularly in high pressure situations — where he has proved himself to be world class time and time again.”
“Alfonso’s contribution to Somerset has been immense over many years and I am sure I can speak for all Somerset supporters in extending their thanks and best wishes to Alfonso and his family for the future,” he said.
