Penrith Cricket Club Tribute to Paul Thomas - 1999-2000

Penrith Cricket Club | August 18, 2025

Season 1999/2000 marks the end of the playing career of Penrith's most successful bowler. Paul "Stabba" Thomas has achieved remarkable things during his playing career spanning some 21 seasons. After initially finding it difficult to make the First Grade team due to the presence of the great Ken Hall, Thommo finally got his chance when Ken left the club in 1988. He was never to play Second Grade again. Along the way Thommo became the Club's highest wicket taker (597 wickets which stands to today 2025), the highest wicket taker in First Grade (377 wickets) and twice topped the Sydney Grade Competition as the highest wicket taker in a season - in 1994-95 with 52 wickets and in 1996/97 with 56 wickets. Paul's statistics are by any measure superb.

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Apart from his wicket taking ability, Paul will be missed for other reasons. Not as athletically gifted as some, Paul made up for that by displaying the characteristics of perseverance and intelligence. Very few batsmen got the better of Paul, especially early in his First Grade career although towards the end one or two were teeing off such as Phil Marks at North Sydney Oval (1998/99).

Long will those of us who played with him remember the famous swoop from backward square leg or the 289 catches he put down off his own bowling. Who will forget the balding head (in later years covered by his beloved Panther cap while bowling) reflecting January sun or the now famous cover drive to the boundary against Sutherland this season to win the match - not forgetting that fantastic piece of fielding to effect the run out of Daryl Parmenter against Randwick.

Well we remember his retort to the young upstart some years back from Bankstown who was sledging Paul about his age: Thommo's response was, 'Son, I've got a past but I don't think you've got a future!" Steve Waugh was upset by that statement at the time.

Thank you "Thommo" for your contribution to Penrith Cricket Club. Perhaps if a few more of us had the same dedication and love for our city, we may have helped you win that First Grade Premiership you craved. You certainly deserve a premiership cap more than anybody.

By Ray Hudswell

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