John Thompson (cricketer, born 1918)

Thompson was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, and was educated at Tonbridge School in Kent and at St John's College, Cambridge.^[1] A right-handed batsman, he was regarded as a potential Test player during his two years in the Cambridge University team in 1938 and 1939, Wisden remarking that he batted in "very correct style" with "the makings of a brilliant batsman".^[2] However, World War II intervened, and after the war he concentrated on his career as a mathematics and physics teacher at Marlborough College, appearing occasionally for Warwickshire during the school holidays.^[2] In 1949, after playing his first match in mid-August, he scored 609 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 60.90, putting him sixth in the national averages.^[2][3]

He played 36 matches of Minor Counties cricket with Wiltshire from 1955 to 1963.^[4] He toured Canada in 1951 and North America in 1959 with the Marylebone Cricket Club, tours that coincided with the English school holidays; he also managed the 1959 tour.^[5]

Thompson was also a champion rackets player, winning the British amateur singles title five times and the doubles title 11 times. He also played squash for England.^[2] At Marlborough, as well as teaching mathematics and physics, he was master in charge of rackets and cricket, and a housemaster.^[6]

• John Thompson at ESPNcricinfo