Tom Atkinson

Tom Atkinson (1930–1990) was an English first-class cricketer who was born in Millom, Cumbria, and died on 2 September 1990 in Glasgow, aged 59 years 340 days. He played for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club from 1957 to 1960 as opening bowler and middle/lower order batsman. He was a right-handed batsman (RHB) and right-arm fast medium bowler.

Height 5 ft 11 in

First Class Career statistics (1957–1960) Nottinghamshire 1956–1960 Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club

Matches 64, Inns 104, N/O 19, Runs 1127, H/S 54 Ave 13.25

Matches 64, Balls 10162, Runs 5157, Wkts 116, B/B 6/61, Ave 44.45, S/R 87.6, 5W 2, 10w 1.

Thomas Atkinson (born 27 September 1930 Millom Cumbria) is a former cricketer who enjoyed a short first-class career for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. Hailing from a poor background Tom spent his youth playing football and cricket for various local village teams and training to be a blacksmith. He was one of the first cricketers from Cumbria to make it into the professional county circuit.

National Service gave him the opportunity to see the world when he selected the Royal Navy for his two-year stint. He spent very little time on ships though as the navy made use of his cricketing talents with inter-force contests. His ability with the cornet meant he was also in demand for Navy Bands and he spent much of his national serviced either playing with the navy cricket team or the navy band.

After he returned to civilian life he was spotted playing for his local team and was selected for Cumberland. He made his minor counties debut.[1] (aged 24) on 27/28 July 1955 against Northumberland. The game didn’t go well for Cumberland who suffered an innings defeat but Tom managed a creditable 2/44 off 19 overs. He was not at this stage given much credit with the bat and batted at number 11 and number 10 respectively in the match. Cumberland were not one of the strongest minor counties and had a poor season. Tom found himself slowly climbing up the order and by the end of the summer was batting at number 4 or 5. In 1956 he was awarded a contract with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club after a successful trial. Things could have been different as he was due to have a trial with Hampshire several seasons before, but the scout that had seen him play and offered the trial was killed on his way back to Southampton and the recommendation was never made. He spent much of 1956 toiling in the seconds waiting for his chance to break into the first XI.

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