After passing away at age 90, the first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia in sports was remembered on Monday for her “groundbreaking contribution” to cricket.
According to Cricket Australia, Faith Thomas took the field in a Test match for Australia against England in 1958 in Melbourne, making history as the first Indigenous player for any Australian sports team.
She was a fearsome fast bowler who received her nursing training before discovering that there were competitive women’s cricket leagues. Her career in the sport began when she accepted a colleague’s invitation to play in an Adelaide club match.
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Thomas played in her first Test the following year after being chosen to represent South Australia after just three games.
She was selected to tour England and New Zealand, but Thomas decided against going because of the lengthy sea voyage and instead dedicated herself to nursing, becoming one of the first Aboriginal nurses to be employed.
The head of Cricket Australia, Nick Hockley, praised her “wonderful and groundbreaking contribution to cricket and the community” after she passed away on Saturday.
For everyone who had the good fortune to know her or who was inspired by her many accomplishments, he continued, “Today is a very sad day.”
“Faith was an inspiration to those who have followed and she leaves an indelible mark on the game as the first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia in Test cricket,” said the statement.
Few Aboriginal cricketers have ever competed in Test matches, with Jason Gillespie being the most successful. Ashleigh Gardner and Scott Boland are among the others.
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For exceptional service or accomplishment, Thomas received the Order of Australia in 2009.
Every year in the Women’s Big Bash League, the Adelaide Strikers compete for the Faith Thomas Trophy in her honour.
