Gordon Thompson [1921 - 2001]

A few of our older Ushaw Moorites will recall Gordon. He opened the innings for Ushaw Moor Cricket Club in the late 1950s. I cannot recall too much about his batting but I am very sure he was the club's  paid professional. Someone did tell me that he scored a century against Australia and from time to time I have tried to unearth more information about that claim.

I can now confirm that Gordon did indeed play against the mighty Australians. He was one of those players representing Durham County in August 1948. It was a rain affected game but he had time to dismiss the famous Neil Harvey by catching him: Harvey caught Thompson 2. Australia were all out for 282. Note that the best batsmen that has ever lived, Donald Bradman, was absent from this game.

Gordon did not have much luck with the bat in the Durham reply, being bowled by legendary Keith Miller for 2.  Durham were 73 for five wickets when the weather called a halt. He did have some  success for Durham against Yorkshire seconds [38 runs] and Northumberland [47 runs].

I can recall that he was a right handed batsman and dressed immaculately, as befitting a club professional. Can anyone recall  more about Gordon?

WB