All-rounder Grant Thomson chats about his time at the Unlimited Titans
Unlimited Titans all-rounder Grant Thomson, from Boksburg, took some time off from his busy schedule to chat to the Advertiser.
The 27-year-old former Parkrand Primary School pupil discussed his time with the Titans, Jacques Kallis and a former Sri Lanka national cricket team captain.
The Advertiser asked:
How did it all start?
It started such a long time ago and I was too young to remember all of it clearly, but I remember watching a game on TV before asking my dad to teach me how to bowl. It all happened in the back garden.
When did you start playing the game?
I started playing at a very young age. I played for the u-9 CBC team at the age of seven.
How did you make your professional breakthrough?
I made my 20/20 debut for the Gauteng team in 2008 and my first class debut in 2009. I then moved to the Easterns Union for the 2012/13 season. In the 2013/14 season, I was the highest run-scorer for Easterns and made my debut for the Titans in four-day cricket. Last season I made my one-day debut for the Titans.
Have you represented any other team in the Easterns League apart from the Kempton Park Cricket Club?
I played for Benoni Northerns for one season in 2012/13.
Being an all-rounder, which role do you prefer, bowling or batting, and why?
It’s very hard to choose between the two disciplines; I’ve always done both. I don’t feel like I have played a proper game if I haven’t done both. Lately I’ve been tending more to the batting side, but I pride myself on being a first string bowler and a top order batsman.
Which player have you always hated to face?
It’ll have to be Marchant de Lange. Him being quick and all makes him quite difficult to face.
Who’s your favourite local cricketer and why?
Tough one, but I’d say Neil McKenzie. I’ve played with him and I admire the way he just goes about his business.
Take us through your greatest achievements in the game?
Greatest achievement would be representing the Titans. Being part of the winning squad of the Momentum Cup last season was an amazing experience. Another highlight would be scoring 98 not-out against the Warriors in the first game of this year’s Momentum Cup.
In representing The Unlimited Titans, would you say you’ve reached your ultimate goal professionally?
I’d love to represent South Africa. Always been a childhood dream.
Do you have any role models in the game?
I think I have many players whom I admire. The King Kallis (Jacques): for his achievements in the game with both bat and ball. Being an all-rounder myself I know how impressive his stats are. Neil Mackenzie: being a Kes (King Edward VII School) old boy, I’ve always looked up to him. Playing with him at Old Eds and his record is so impressive. Also the way he conducts himself on and off the field is something I admire. Kumar Sangakkara is someone I’ve always loved to watch and I was lucky to spend some time with him when he was touring the country.
Thomson represents the Kempton Park Cricket Club in the local Easterns Cricket League – @SabeloBoksburg
