Ben Thomas
2005/06 (Stats to end of 08/09)

Class batsman and more-than-handy bowler.

"After finding his feet in the two seasons after joining Moonee Valley in 2003, Ben burst on the scene with his batting in 2005/06.

He signalled his intentions with his first half-century (80) in Round 2 in the Thirds, then had the honor of playing in the first-ever game for our Seventh Eleven when its season commenced the next week, due to his non-availability for a two-day game.

With another one-day game in Round 9, Ben really announced his arrival, opening and batting throughout the innings for a superb 110 not out, including 18 fours and three sixes.

Ben then backed up with his second century, back in the Thirds in Round 11. He finished the season with a stellar 422 runs @ 46.9, with two centuries and two half-centuries.

A natural opener, Ben was one of the first selected in our Thirds finals campaign in 2005/06.

His great season also rewarded Ben with top-three finishes in both the batting award and the bowling award in the Moreland-Moonee Valley Cricket Association's B Mats competition."

The lines above are Ben's citation as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2005/06.