Former Sussex and England cricketer Ian Thomson dies aged 92

Ian Thomson, who was part of Sussex County Cricket Club’s bowling attack between 1952 and 1965, died at his home in Henfield on Sunday afternoon.

The sportsman was part of the 1964 Gillette Cup winning team and picked up man of the match at Lord’s Cricket Ground for his efforts.

Ian Thomson with his daughter Tracey

In the same year, in what was considered to be his greatest performance, Ian took ten wickets against Warwickshire at Worthing.

He is only the second cricketer to take ten wickets in an innings for Sussex and his ten-wicket ball is on display at the Sussex Cricket Museum at the County Ground in Hove.

Ian’s daughter Tracey Linser told The Argus he died “peacefully” but his family are “devastated” to lose him.

Ian married his wife Eileen in September 1955

She said: “I’m heartbroken. He really was the best dad in the world, and I am so proud of him.”

Tracey, who lives in Portslade, says she will cherish the England cap that Ian was given during the 1964–65 Marylebone Cricket Club tour to South Africa.

Ian played in all five tests and took nine wickets, four more than his team mate Geoffrey Boycott.

The Sussex Cricket team that won the Gilette Cup. Ian Thomson (third from right)

Tracey said: “I have so many wonderful memories I can look back on. I’m going to treasure his England cap until I die.

“My dad travelled to Trinidad to play cricket and to Pakistan in 1955. I have so many beautiful photographs from that time.

“I also have so many happy memories of times spent with my mum and dad. My mum died six years ago, and I think my dad felt like it was his time to join her.”

Ian with his daughter Tracey

Ian’s playing career ended in 1965 but he reappeared in two matches in 1972.

He also tried his hand at coaching, teaching cricketing brothers Tony and Ian Greig when they were just young boys.

In 2018, he opened the Sussex Cricket Museum alongside England and Sussex cricketer Chris Adams.

Tracey plans to scatter his ashes at the Sussex County Cricket Ground in line with his wishes.

She said: “The County is so fitting because his ten-wicket ball is in the museum, and although he lived in Henfield, Hove was where he trained and his home ground.

“It will be like taking him home.”

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