Tom Sueter facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name |
Thomas Sueter
|
| Born | 17 April 1750 Hambledon, Hampshire |
| Died | 17 February 1827 Hambledon, Hampshire |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Role | Wicket-keeper |
| Domestic team information | |
| Years | Team |
| 1768–1786 | Hampshire |
| 1788–1789 | Hampshire |
|
Source: CricketArchive, 3 April 2014
|
|
Thomas Sueter (born April 17, 1750, died February 17, 1827) was an English cricket player. He played for Hampshire and was a key member of the famous Hambledon Club. He was known for his skills as a wicket-keeper and a left-handed batsman.
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Meet Thomas Sueter: A Cricket Pioneer
Thomas Sueter was one of the most famous wicket-keepers of the 1700s. He played alongside another great, William Yalden. These two players were among the first to be known as "wicketkeeper/batsmen." This means they were excellent at both catching balls behind the stumps and scoring runs with the bat.
A Special Cricket Role
A wicket-keeper is a player in cricket who stands behind the stumps. Their main job is to catch balls that the batsman misses. They also try to stump the batsman out if they step out of their crease. Sueter was so good that he was chosen for his batting skills too, not just his keeping.
Thomas Sueter's Unique Batting Style
Sueter was a left-handed batsman. He played in a new and exciting way for his time. Most players stayed close to the crease (the lines on the pitch). But Sueter would step forward to hit the ball. People said he would "get in at it" and hit it "straight off and straight on." This made the ball go very fast, "as if it had been fired!" He was also very good at judging when to run between the wickets.
His Cricket Journey
Thomas Sueter started playing cricket in the 1760s. He played in 67 known top-level matches from 1772 to 1790. He mostly played for Hampshire. Towards the end of his career, he played a few games for Surrey. This was probably because he lived there for a short time. However, he later returned to his hometown of Hambledon.
Life Beyond the Cricket Pitch
When he wasn't playing cricket, Thomas Sueter worked as a carpenter and builder. He was a skilled craftsman. There was even a plaque above the Hambledon church door that mentioned him as a builder in 1788.
Sueter was also a talented singer. He sang in the choir at his local church. Like another cricketer, George Leer, he had a beautiful voice.
Remembering Thomas Sueter
When Thomas Sueter passed away, he left money for a special event. He wanted an anthem (a type of song) to be sung in the church over his coffin. This wish was carried out. His tombstone can still be found in Hambledon churchyard. It says:
Sacred to the memory of THOMAS SUETER, who departed this life the 17th day of February, 1827, aged 77 years
