From
Rat Boy to Wonder Boy
Tom
Waters was a timid and rather unassuming boy when I first saw him
play as a thirteen-year-old for the colts. Rather small for his
age and a little nervous of quick bowling, Tom had potential but
lacked aggression. He assumed the nickname 'Rat Boy' partly because
of his size and because his nose kind of resembled that of the well-known
rodent in a human kind of way.
Since that time
things have changed dramatically in Tom's existence. After representing
Kent Schoolboys and Kent Colts as an all rounder and a meteoric
rise through the Colts and Second XI Tom is a taller, aggressive,
no nonsense fast medium bowler and a top order left handed batsman
with all the shots. He possesses an air of confidence that outdoes
that of his First XI colleagues. A potential League captain, the
future looks very good for Tom Waters.
His confidence can be
clearly seen on the field of play. An habitual grunter as he bowls
young Tom is not afraid of the opposition, regularly stares out
opposing batsmen and is not averse to passing comment if he feels
that he has been unlucky.
Tom first came
to prominence in adult cricket in 1999 when he hit 53 not out against
Offham Second XI followed up with 6-33 against New Ifield Second
XI. These performances established him as a regular Second XI player.
He broke into the First XI in 2001 with 6-54 against Macknade but
it was in 2002 where he really came into his own as he scored 1,000
runs in a season for the first time. His batting successes included
102 against Viking, 75 against Bobbing Court, 64 against Harbledown
and 56 against Wye. He bowled very reliably and accurately during
the same season. With innings of 121 against Milstead, 100 against
Macknade, 79 against Old Stacians and 62 against Farningham the
Tom Waters success story continued in 2003.
Even as a teenager he
has shown the ability to score quickly when required as against
Tenterden in 2002 when he scored 37 off only 18 deliveries in a
partnership of 87 in 10 overs with George Phillips.
The confident
Tom has not only reached a premature level of maturity in cricket
but in other areas of life too. He has a regular job as an electrician,
a girlfriend, an array of female admirers and money in his pocket.
With success at such an early age Tom can afford to be confident
as he downs a pint of beer in seconds - all very different from
the shy, lemonade-sipping schoolboy of just a few years ago.
When picking
fruit on my farm in 2001 Tom really showed his worth and lived up
to his nickname 'Rat Boy' as he crawled and clambered under, up
and around the trees to pick plums. Because of his size he really
could reach the parts that others couldn't. He seemed to gain inspiration
and worked harder to the sound of the popular hit "Can't Take
My Eyes Off You", with the distinctive hook line "Don't
call me baby." Encouraged by his father Kevin, inspired by
his mother and advised by Captain Cook of the First XI Tom has always
been a tryer.
During the past
year Tom has come of age and looks forward to even greater success
in the future. His 92 against Upchurch at the beginning of the 2004
season apparently showed a maturity beyond his years, brought back
memories of the great Kent and England left hander Frank Woolley,
demonstrating that he may be a force to be reckoned with during
the coming league campaign.
David Wood 2004
