Thompson back in the game
Derwin Thompson is back
Haydn Gill
06-Aug-2000
Derwin Thompson is back.
But the recuperating policeman does not think he will ever regain full
fitness following serious body injuries that sidelined him for the
entire 1999 cricket season.
The Police wicketkeeper/batsman also does not plan to make a return to
Division 1 cricket.
He intends to concentrate on the obscurity of the Barbados Cricket
League in which he has been representing the lawmen since June.
"I don't think I am physically and mentally prepared to handle the
strain of first division cricket right now," Thompson told SUNSPORT.
"I think I have had enough of first division and I am not fit enough
to play that level of cricket."
The 35-year-old Thompson, one of this country's most consistent club
wicketkeeper/batsmen during the last ten years, was badly injured just
before the start of last season when he was appointed to captain the
defending Division 1 champions.
Liver crushed
While carrying out some work at his Lower Carlton, St. James home, a
wall fell on him. His right shoulder was broken and the liver crushed.
The recuperating process involved lots of rest and frequent visits to
the beach.
Thompson, a Barbados youth team representative from 1981 to 1984,
rates his current level of fitness at 75 per cent.
"I don't think I can ever get back to 100 per cent, but I believe that
I can reach about 95 per cent," he said.
He has been in reasonably good form, but admitted he felt strange in
the middle since he had practised for only a few sessions leading up
to his return.
"It was a little uncomfortable, having not held a bat for such a long
period," he said.
"It did not feel the same way it would normally feel," added Constable
446, who joined the Royal Barbados Police Force in 1984, a few months
after leaving Coleridge and Parry School.
His best innings since his comeback has been an unbeaten 76, but he
has also made useful scores of 36 not out, 24 and 21.
Long lay-off
This is not the first time Thompson has had to come back after a long
lay-off. In 1987, a car accident left him with a back injury that kept
him out of the game for a few seasons.
On his return, he was able to force his way into national trials for
the senior Barbados team.
Thompson has also given up wicketkeeping duties, although he did the
job briefly for Park Road in the The Mutual Cricket 'N Crop-Over
night tapeball competition.
Last Wednesday night, he even brought his arm over for a few overs of
medium-pace which earned him three wickets.
It helped Park Road to a comfortable victory over Combined United and
gave them a place in Friday night's final against defending champions
Banks Lite Strugglers.