There was no winner’s farewell for Liam Thomas as England Men's Physical Disability side went down to India in the Champions Trophy final in the intense 30-degree humidity of Colombo.
But as he called time on an international career spanning 14 years – literally man and boy – the affable Yorkshireman could reflect on a fairytale journey, and a key role as one of the PD game’s stalwarts.
He won his first cap against Pakistan in Dubai in February 2012, during the side’s inaugural international tour. He had turned 18 just four days earlier. Now, as he peeled off the shirt he had so proudly sported across 37 outings, he did so know the timing was right.
“I think it’s been on my mind since the last tour of India, really – I got back and did some reflecting,” he said. “It’s been an amazing experience, but when you’re playing that much cricket constantly, I think my body’s just starting to break down. I’m 30, but I feel like I’m 50!
“And me being the way I am, I’d rather leave on top, than be tapped on the shoulder. I wanted to leave cricket, rather than have it leave me. It feels like the right time to go.”
A popular character in the dressing room, both for his typical Tyke candour and quickfire wit, Thomas’s ‘can do’ outlook and focus are hugely infectious. Whether behind the stumps, or in the field, where lightning reflexes made a mockery of a right leg that ends below the knee and a right hand that has three fingers fused, he was never far from the action. Back in 2016, a clip of his prosthetic leg coming off in pursuit of the ball in the deep, posted on social media absentmindedly, ended up going viral. Typically, it happened again on this tour in pursuit of a tumbling catch.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he laughed. “There’ll probably be another video doing the rounds.”
But as Ian Martin, ECB’s Head of Disability Cricket, points out, what fewer people noticed during the initial clip was the quality of Thomas’ return throw. “The ball still went straight into the keeper’s gloves,” he said. “And that determination surprised nobody in our set-up – Liam never gave less than 100 per cent in an England shirt. His presence will be greatly missed – a very good keeper-batter, but an even better bloke.”
Though defeat in Colombo – England going down by 79 runs in the final of the four-team Champions Trophy was disappointing for Thomas – there were so many memories to savour.
“At times it’s been tough,” he said. “Obviously we helped set the ball rolling, and being in India last winter, Sri Lanka this year – and with all the pan-disability cricket going on it feels like it’s all going in the right direction.
“Something we always speak about is leaving the shirt in a better place, and I’d like to think I’ve played a part in doing that. We were – and are – a group of people initially brought together through circumstances – and we have made something wonderful. We can share our insecurities, doubts, and have the same hurdles to overcome – it’s a very special group where you can really be yourself.
“It’s not about the wins and losses in the end, what you’ll remember is the friendships you made down the years.”
It’s not the end completely, however. Batters in club cricket will still hear Thomas chirping behind the stumps this summer, and he intends to play in this year’s Disability Premier League.
“I just want to keep banging the drum and growing the game as quickly and widely as possible,” he concludes. “All we’ve ever really wanted was for people to know how good we are.” No-one who saw Liam Thomas play would dispute that.