Keith Thomson

Keith Thomson (26 February 1941 – 26 January 2023) was a New Zealand sportsman who represented his country at both cricket and hockey. He played two cricket Test matches in 1968, and 28 hockey Tests between 1961 and 1971, and was later an umpire in both sports. Cricket career A middle-order batsman, Thomson was stoutly built and batted with a crouching stance, but hit the ball hard. He played first-class cricket for Canterbury from 1959–60 to 1973–74. In the Plunket Shield in 1966–67 he hit two centuries and was selected for all four matches for New Zealand against the touring Australian XI. Thomson made his Test debut against India in the 1967–68 season at Christchurch where he scored 69 (adding 119 for the fifth wicket with Graham Dowling) and 0 not out in what was New Zealand's fourth victory in Tests. His second, and final, Test came a week later at Wellington where he scored 25 and 0. His highest score in first-class cricket was 136 not out for Canterbury against Northern Districts in 1968–69. He was a fine fieldsman, a good catcher close to the wicket.