First Indigenous sportswoman to represent Australia passes away at age 90

After passing away on Monday at the age of 90, the first Aboriginal athlete to represent Australia was remembered for her “groundbreaking contribution” to cricket.

According to Cricket Australia, Faith Thomas stepped out against England in 1958 in Melbourne to become the first Indigenous woman to play a Test match for Australia and the first to appear for any Australian sports team.

Before discovering that women played organised cricket, the fearsome fast bowler completed her nursing training. Her career got started when a coworker asked her to play in an Adelaide club match.
Thomas was chosen to play for South Australia after just three games, and the following year, she took part in her first Test.

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Thomas was selected to tour England and New Zealand, but the thought of a protracted sea voyage discouraged her. She instead committed herself to nursing, becoming one of the first Aboriginal nurses to be employed.
Nick Hockley, the head of Cricket Australia, praised her “wonderful and groundbreaking contribution to cricket and the community” after she passed away on Saturday.

“This is a very sad day for all those fortunate to have known her or who were touched by her many accomplishments,” he continued.

Faith was an inspiration to those who came after her and left an enduring imprint on the game as the first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia in Test cricket.

Jason Gillespie is the most successful Aboriginal cricketer to have ever played in a Test match. Scott Boland and Ashleigh Gardner are among the others.

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In 2009, Thomas received the Order of Australia in recognition of his exceptional service or accomplishments.

In her honour, the Adelaide Strikers compete for the Faith Thomas Trophy in the Women’s Big Bash League each year.