After dying at the age of 90, the first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia in sport was lauded on Monday for her “groundbreaking contribution” to cricket.
Faith Thomas padded up against England in Melbourne in 1958, becoming the first Indigenous woman to play a Test match for Australia and the first to feature for any Australian sports team, according to Cricket Australia.
She was a frightening fast bowler who trained as a nurse before discovering that women played organized cricket, and her career began when she was encouraged to play in an Adelaide club game by a coworker.
Thomas was selected to represent South Australia after only three games and played her maiden Test the following year.
She was chosen to tour England and New Zealand, but after being put off by the idea of a long sea voyage, Thomas turned to nursing, becoming one of the first Aboriginal nurses to be employed.
She passed away on Saturday with Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley hailing her “wonderful and groundbreaking contribution to cricket and the community”.
“This is a very sad day for all those fortunate to have known her or who were touched by her many accomplishments,” he added.
“As the first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia in Test cricket, Faith was an inspiration to those who have followed and she leaves an indelible mark on the game.”
Only a few Aboriginal cricketers have ever played in a Test match, with Jason Gillespie being the most successful. Scott Boland and Ashleigh Gardner are among the others.
In 2009, Thomas was awarded the Order of Australia for distinguished service or achievement.
Every year in the Women’s Big Bash League, the Adelaide Strikers compete for the Faith Thomas Trophy in her honor.
