Name:

Thomson, Alan L

Nickname:

Froggy

Date of Birth:

02 Dec 1945

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Reservoir, VIC.

Date Died:

31 Oct 2022

Career:

Test: 1970 - 1971
ODI: 1971 - 1971

Teams:

Australia (Country)
VIC (Regional)

1971: 1st ever ODI is a hurriedly arranged stop gap in Ashes (MCG)

Alan Lloyd “Froggy” Thomson (2 December 1945 – 31 October 2022) was renowned for his unconventional bowling action during the early 1970s. Born in Reservoir, Victoria, Thomson was a right-arm fast-medium bowler who delivered the ball with a unique windmill-like motion, often described as “bowling off his front leg like a frog in a windmill,” which earned him the nickname “Froggy.” 

Thomson made his first-class debut for Victoria in January 1969, impressively taking 6 for 114 against New South Wales. He quickly rose to prominence, notably achieving match figures of 11 wickets against the touring West Indies in Melbourne. During the 1969–70 season, he was the standout player, claiming 55 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 18.74. 

His international career, though brief, was historic. Thomson played four Test matches and one One Day International (ODI) for Australia, all during the 1970–71 season. In the inaugural ODI match on 5 January 1971 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he took the first wicket in ODI history by dismissing England’s Geoff Boycott. 

After retirement, Thomson was a schoolteacher and also served as an Australian rules football umpire in the Victorian Football League. He passed away on 31 October 2022.