Along the way, Thomas rewrote family history, outdoing Shayne’s career-best first-class figures of 12 for 122 in 1998-99.
Thomas is a chip off the old block. His action and ability to generate inswing, especially, are strikingly similar to Shayne’s. One of those hooping inswingers knocked Auckland No.3 Harrish Kannan over in the first innings. Thomas also got the inswinger going against right-hand batters, pinning Dale Phillips, the brother of Glenn, for 3 in the second innings.
Though Thomas is only four first-class games old, he’s no one-trick pony. Against the left-handed Lachlan Stackpole, the left-arm seamer got the ball to dart away from over the wicket and had him caught behind by keeper Max Chu.
“I think, yeah, our actions are similar, so people have told me,” Thomas said after wrapping up the win for Otago. “But I think the most important advice he [Shayne] has given me is around the mental space, not necessarily anything technical, but to enjoy it, go out there, have fun. We’re pretty lucky to do a job that we love, so enjoy it, enjoy being around your team and contributing to it.
“I think it’ll take a while to sink in. Obviously, you don’t play the game for the milestones, but it’s pretty special to get one. It’s icing on the cake to get a win as well, so yeah, pretty proud and pretty pleased.”
So, does Thomas get to claim bragging rights in the family after toppling his father’s best match figures?
“There’s not a whole heap in terms of banter, but we get on good and I’m sure he’ll be proud,” Thomas said. “He’s definitely got me on wickets and he’s played international cricket, so he’s definitely got me there too. I think as it got, as the pitch aged a little bit, it was a little bit less assistance for the seamers, but I think this plan is to stay the same, as clichéd as it is, try and hit the top of the stumps and play the patience game.”
“No, I didn’t know that,” Thomas said.
