Former International Umpire Ian Thomas inducted into the New South Wales Cricket Umpires’ and Scorers’ Association Hall of Fame

NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association | July 04, 2025

The Board of New South Wales Cricket Umpires’ and Scorers’ Association (NSWCUSA) annually appoints a sub-committee to consider nominations for the NSWCUSA Hall of Fame. The sub-committee then makes a recommendation to the Board.

In 2025 the Hall of Fame sub-committee was unanimous that Life member Ian Thomas be inducted. The Board was equally unanimous in its support of the sub-committee recommendation.

This presentation was to be made to Ian at the NSWCUSA Annual General Meeting held at Club York Sydney on July 2

Ian’s service as an on field official to the NSWCUSA was exemplary, his service to the Association off field was substantial while he was an active umpire and for long after he retired.

Ian was an exceptional umpire, officiating:

-          At the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Dubbo in 1986-87

-          As a member of the National Umpire Panel from 1990 to 1994

-          In 8 One Day Internationals – which involved world class cricketers like Martin Crowe, David Gower, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Malcolm Marshall, Allan Border, Stephen Waugh, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad and Allan Donald

-          In 30 Sheffield Shield matches

-          In 41 first-class matches overall, including Australia XI v England XI, a four day fixture played in Hobart in 1990-91

-          First-class matches between New South Wales and England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies on three separate occasions

-          11 List A matches in the One Day Cup including the 1987-88 McDonald’s Cup Final in which New South Wales defeated South Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground

-          List A matches between New South Wales and Sri Lanka at Brelsford Park Coffs Harbour in 1989-90 and New South Wales and West Indies at Oakes Oval Lismore in 1992-93

-          In 226 matches in the Sydney Grade cricket competition, 171 of which were in first grade

Ian was a country umpire, from Bathurst. He made his first grade debut in Sydney Grade cricket in 1985-86, and in 1987-88 made his first-class debut. It was a rapid rise.

He stood in eight men’s first grade finals, and on an amazing six occasions, in a very strong era in New South Wales umpiring, he received the First Grade Umpire of the Year as determined by marks from first grade captains.

The whole time he umpired Sydney Grade cricket, Ian travelled from Bathurst each week of the season to do so. He was fiercely committed to umpiring and to the Grade competition.

Ian was respected by the players for his ability, his decision making, his communication skills, and the way he managed people and cricket matches. He was described as honest, fair, always calm and composed.

In his era, Ian Thomas set the standard being an outstanding mentor to umpires at all levels. He was selfless and genuine in sharing his experience.

At Test level Ian was TV Umpire in two Test matches:

-          Australia v South Africa 1993-94

-          Australia v Pakistan 1995-96

He also umpired two U19 Test matches – Australia v West Indies in 1988 and Australia v India in 1995, and six matches at the U19 World Cup played in Australia in 1988

Off field, Ian made a rich and sustained contribution to the NSWCUSA and to Australian match officiating.

In New South Wales he served the:

-          Examination Committee

-          Technical Committee

-          Training Committee

His contribution was outstanding, being recognised with Life membership of the NSWCUSA in 2000

He also served as Zone Umpire Representative for Western Zone, as Country Umpire Advisor, and as a Country Cricket NSW carnival and match referee, all after his retirement as an umpire. Ian gave so much back to umpiring in New South Wales to serve the NSWCUSA and its people.

With Cricket Australia, Ian was the NSW State Umpire Coach in 2006-07 and for several seasons he was a member of the Cricket Australia Match Referee Panel.

He was a talented and highly respected umpire, so well regarded for his match management and decision making, and his superior knowledge and application of Laws and Playing Conditions.

Ian is a person of the highest integrity, one of the more humble people you have the pleasure of meeting. To hear Ian speak about his umpiring career and journey through cricket, you have to push him hard. Even then it is always understated. He never possessed any sense of entitlement, a wonderful role model for umpires of the present in this regard.

Ian Thomas becomes Hall of Fame inductee #17 of New South Wales Cricket Umpires’ and Scorers’ Association. This recognition will be so well received by cricket people in western New South Wales and by the players and umpiring colleagues from his era. It is an honour that is richly deserved by a loyal, dedicated and humble servant of our game.

Congratulations Ian Thomas.

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