Aussie sport in mourning as history-making Indigenous cricket pioneer Faith Thomas dies aged 90

Faith Thomas, a fearsome pace bowler who became the first Indigenous woman to play Test cricket for Australia, has died at the age of 90.

She passed away on Saturday.

Thomas (nee Coulthard) played her groundbreaking Test for Australia against England at Melbourne’s Junction Oval in February 1958, when she became the first Aboriginal woman to play for any Australian sports team.

She returned figures of 0-11 from six overs in what turned out to be her first and last Test.

Thomas was selected for tours of England and New Zealand but was deterred by the prospect of a long trip by sea and instead dedicated herself to her nursing career.

The groundbreaking South Australian (pictured left with current Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner) was a feared fast bowler

Her potential was summed up when she claimed 6-0 against the Adelaide Teachers College early in her career.

Thomas, whose family gave permission for her name to be used in reportage of her death, was a survivor of the Stolen Generations and was raised at Colebrook Home in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges.

One of Thomas’ first memories of cricket wasn’t a good one – being struck by the ball and crying her eyes out.

It was at that point she decided the best way to protect herself was by picking up a bat.

But it was with the ball where she truly flourished.

As a child, Thomas played improvised cricket games on dirt roads using homemade bats and a rock if there was no ball.

She would often joke that her speed was the result of throwing stones at Galahs.

Cricket wasn’t the only way Thomas made an impact on Australia – she also made huge contributions as a nurse and midwife

Thomas (pictured centre with Aussie Test cricket star and former national coach Justin Langer, right) survived the Stolen Generations to make an indelible mark on her country

It was only after training as a nurse that Thomas learned that women played organised cricket, and her career began when she was invited by a colleague to participate in a club game in Adelaide.

After just three games, Thomas was selected to represent South Australia and the following year played Test cricket for Australia.

‘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 chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement.

‘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.’

As one of the first Aboriginal nurses in South Australia, and the first employed as a public servant, Thomas had a profound impact on thousands of patients, including during her work as a patrol nurse in Aboriginal communities.

In 2019, Thomas was awarded the Order of Australia for her services to cricket and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

She has also been an inspiration to emerging Aboriginal cricketers, with the Adelaide Strikers honouring Thomas by playing for the Faith Thomas Trophy during the First Nations Round every year in the WBBL.