Shane Thomson - New Zealand - Batsman

Shane Thomson had all the makings of a genuine all-rounder and there was a time in his international
career when the numbers were also starting to reflect the same. However, he wasn't able to maintain the
consistency for a longer period, thereby ending with slightly underwhelming numbers. A powerful striker
of the ball, Thomson was an useful off-spinner who didn't turn the ball a great deal but could land it in
good areas regularly, thereby putting a lid on the scoring rate. This skill was rewarding particularly in the
50-over format where he was an effective support bowler. Thomson's natural style of batting meant that
consistency wasn't always a guarantee but when he did click, had the ability to the turn the game on its
head. The biggest proof of his ability is without doubt his solitary Test ton, a gripping knock that came in
an adrenaline-pumping run chase against Pakistan at home in 1993-94.

Thomson was blooded into the New Zealand side across formats during the 1990 home series against
India. His Test career was a scattered output, a byproduct of being in and out of the team, especially
after 1994, a time when his form had drastically dropped. Yet, he did show signs of promise in the
longest form of being the invaluable all-rounder New Zealand were looking for. As it turned out, he
played more ODIs and even there, his grip on the game loosened and was eventually dropped after the
1996 World Cup. Thomson was still very young at that stage, just 27 but he chose to quit the sport
altogether next year after the domestic season ended in 1997. It's difficult to say if he had made the right
call because he did have time on his side. But there were other distractions for Thomson, as evident
from his 1994 suspension for smoking cannabis.