Devon Cricket Board - Devon skip Thompson looking at new club options

Devon skip Thompson looking at new club options

Matt Thompson (left) appealing for a wicket in Devon's game against Cornwall this season

DEVON captain Matt Thompson could be leaving club side Torquay by the time next season starts in search of a new challenge.
The 23-year-old keeper-batsman started out as a schoolboy at the Recreation Ground more than 10 years ago and has worked his way through the ranks at club and county level.
He was appointed county captain of the three-day side for 2015 in succession to Josh Bess, who has moved to Australia to live and work.
Rob Woodman, the ex-Somerset and England U19 all-rounder, led Devon in one-day cricket.
Thompson didn’t have a great first season in charge – Devon failed to win a match – although in mitigation he had to contend with selection problems from first game to last.
Thompson and Torquay had a much better summer in the Devon Premier Division. Torquay won the league and Thompson made nearly 500 runs at an average of 37.54.
Playing for Torquay has meant travelling back from Cardiff to Devon for almost every match over the past four years.
After studying at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Thompson is now combining an MSc in sports coaching with working as performance director of cricket there.
Cardiff is Thompson’s home now and he is considering finding a club closer to it.
He has circulated his details through an agency and has already been approached by clubs interested in recruiting him.
“I am and have been in talks with some clubs – I want to see what’s out there,” said Thompson.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet and I may well end up staying with Torquay.”
Justin Yau, the skipper who won Torquay’s first Premier title for 18 years, said he wanted Thompson to remain with the club.
“No decisions have been made yet and we hope he will stay,” said Yau.
Thompson has consistently been in the runs for Torquay since making his league debut in 2006.
At the end of last season the tally stood at 2,926 runs, average 28.41.
Calculating Devon facts and figures is a little more complicated as the county side plays three different formats.
Overall, Thompson has made more than 2,000 runs in all competitions at an average in the 30s.
With bowling all-rounder Ryan Stevenson unlikely to feature much if at all for Torquay next season now he is contracted to Hamsphire for the next two years, the Seasiders’ title-winning side is looking a little depleted already.

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