Thomas Francis Brooks, commonly known as Tom Brooks, was a talented cricketer and esteemed umpire from Australia. Born on January 4, 1923, in New South Wales, Brooks made a significant impact in the cricketing world during his career.
Brooks was a right-arm fast bowler who played 16 matches for New South Wales following the conclusion of World War II. His remarkable ability to move the ball appreciably in the air earned him recognition as a spirited bowler. Jack Pollard, a renowned cricket writer, commended Brooks for his skills on the field.
Despite having a late start to his first-class umpiring career at the age of 48, Brooks quickly made his mark in the cricketing world. Within three years, he had already made his Test debut and officiated in all but one of the Ashes Tests in the 1970-71 series. Notably, Brooks participated in the first-ever One Day International (ODI) match, which was hastily arranged after the Melbourne Test was washed out. He stood alongside Lou Rowan, creating a unique piece of history.
Brooks continued to officiate in esteemed cricketing matches, standing in all six Ashes Tests in the 1974-75 series and the Centenary Test in 1977. However, he faced a decline in his international career and ultimately retired after officiating in the 1978-79 Ashes Test in Perth. Brooks candidly admitted to the media that his mind and body were no longer coordinating, and his nerve had diminished, reflecting upon his poor performance in that match.
Throughout his career, Brooks umpired a total of 92 first-class matches, including a season in England in 1977. He developed a reputation for being lenient towards short-pitched fast bowling, but his expertise and respect in the cricketing community were evident. In recognition of his significant contributions to cricket, Brooks was awarded the Order of Australia medal in 1985.
Tragically, Brooks passed away on July 16, 2007, after battling a short illness. His demise was mourned by the cricketing fraternity, as he had left an indelible mark on the sport. Tom Brooks will forever be remembered as a skilled bowler, accomplished umpire, and a true servant to the game of cricket.
