Faith Thomas, Australia’s first Indigenous Test cricketer, has died aged 90.
Thomas (nee Coulthard) passed away on Saturday and is remembered as the first Aboriginal woman to represent her country in any sport.
Faith Thomas, the first Indigenous woman to play Test cricket for Australia.Credit: Cricket Australia
Schooled in fast bowling by Victor Richardson, the South Australian icon and grandfather to the Chappell brothers, Thomas played her only Test in 1958 against a touring English women’s side in Melbourne.
Thomas’ rise to the national side came after three games for her state. She caught a train for the first time from Adelaide to Brisbane to play in an Australian XI earlier that year.
Thomas played in borrowed cricket gear from teammates and impressed by dismissing English captain Mary Duggan, earning her Test call-up that summer.
She did not take a wicket in her only national outing, and turned down selection for tours of England and New Zealand to dedicate herself to her nursing career.
Megan Schutt with Faith Thomas at a WBBL match in Alice Springs in 2018.Credit: Getty Images
Thomas was one of the first Aboriginal nurses employed in South Australia and was made a member of the Order of Australia for her services to cricket and the Indigenous community.
For 38 years, she was the only Aboriginal cricketer to represent Australia. Jason Gillespie made his Test debut in 1996.
“Faith Thomas made a wonderful and groundbreaking contribution to cricket and the community, and this is a very sad day for all those fortunate to have known her or who were touched by her many accomplishments,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.
“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.
“Faith’s work in the community in many roles, including as a nurse and midwife, was also immense, and the care and compassion she displayed for the many people she helped was truly remarkable.”
The South Australian Cricket Association said she was instrumental in highlighting the plight of Aboriginal Australians through her selfless and tireless work.
“A true trailblazer in women’s sport, and a remarkable person who has led a full, adventurous and selfless life, Aunty Faith reminds us that one person can change the world, one person can make a difference and a society can be better if we fight for what is right,” SACA said in a statement.
The family has given permission for Faith Thomas’ name and photograph to be published by the Herald and The Age.
