Tom Sole: The Spinning Scotsman

A look at the career of Tom Sole, a spin bowling all rounder that has been brilliant for Ketton CC, Northamptonshire second eleven and Scotland A, and has a very bright future in the game. I will be taking a look at the past, present and the future of his career. 

Sole has played the 2017 season for Ketton CC, and they have been successful. He has scored runs quickly as well as taken many wickets, and has been a stand out performer for Ketton. Having spent 2016 at Finedon Dolben, Sole then approached charismatic captain Robin Vitas, asking to join a very promising side, that did eventually go on to win the league after a brilliant season. In the Cambs league, Sole scored 476 runs for Ketton this season, with his top score of 84 and figures of 4/18 against Ramsey, in a huge match, between top and second in the table, an important knock from the brilliant Tom Sole. Sole took 43 wickets for Ketton this season, an outstanding effort, his best bowling performance being 5/31, against Nassington. He has a unique action, and a bright future, at aged just 21, Sole is going to be a prominent player for Northamptonshire and Scotland in years to come. 

He comes from a family of cricketers, his brother Chris Sole, currently plays for Scotland, and is a major member of the squad. His brother has recently been the best bowler for Scotland in a One Day International series against Zimbabwe. Tom is set to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, and one day play for Scotland. Not only his brother, but his father David Sole was a cricketer, and his uncle, Christopher Trembath played for Wiltshire and for Gloucestershire, playing first class cricket himself. During the 2017 season, Tom Sole achieved something that I am sure will live with him throughout his career. He was selected to play a List A game against the South Africans and Tom Sole was brilliant. When Sole was given the chance to come on to bowl, he took the opportunity with bowl hands and picked up a major wicket, as he got Hashim Amla out, currently South Africa’s best batsman, if not one of the world’s best. In the same game, when Tom Sole came out to bat he almost saw his side home as he scored 54 from just 43 balls, showing tremendous confidence and talent.

Sole has also had a brilliant season for the second team at Northamptonshire this season, in all forms of the game. His first game in the Second Eleven County Championship, Tom Sole took 3/42 against Warwickshire, more proof that he is confident when he steps up to the plate and debuts for Northants. Sole played throughout the age groups for Scotland, and this season, has played for the Scotland A team. They played against Durham Second XI at the end of the season and he performed well. Tom took 2/45 and 2/32 in the game, and scored 33 from 49 balls, an excellent start to play for Scotland A. He then played three games for Scotland A towards the end of the season, and bowled brilliantly against Durham Second XI once again, taking 5/51, with four of the wickets being bowled.

It is clear that the future is bright for Tom Sole, the 21 year old will be excellent for years to come for Scotland and for Northamptonshire. He has a lot of support from his family and friends, and will break into the Northants first team very soon, I would not be surprised if we see Tom Sole’s first class debut very early on in the 2018 season, or his Scotland call up. An excellent performer with both bat and ball, best of luck to Tom Sole in the future. Thank you very much for reading this article, much more where this came from, and be sure to check out our quick fact videos on our YouTube channel. Keep your eyes peeled for more about talented and promising young cricketers.