JOSH Thomas finished 2025 in style by making his full First Class debut for Somerset in the final match of the season away against Essex at Chelmsford.

Not only did he make his full debut but he opened, scoring 86 off 127 balls with 14 fours and a 6 out of a total of 433 in the first innings.

Second time round Josh again opened and top scored with 39 from 65 balls with seven 4s after a stay of almost two hours at the crease, out of a total of 99.

Josh said: “I knew that I was in the squad but didn’t know that I was going to be playing until the day before. It was a bit of a surprise, but I was very happy. I was 12th man for the Hampshire game and then came in as a concussion replacement for Tom Abell.

“I have had a decent season and been pretty happy with how things have gone for me so I guess that’s why I got the call up. It was really good to get out there for the first team which is literally what I have wanted to do in my career so far, so very pleased. The championship side is a tough team to get into so I was very happy to get the call up.

“It’s a big step up from playing for the Seconds because you do find some cracks in the bowling attack, whereas in first class cricket the bowling is always a challenge. There are no cracks in the attack and they don’t miss much, so you have to be more switched on for longer.”

What was he thinking as he walked out for the first innings? “To be honest I just thought that it was another game of cricket and my season had been extended I tried not to think too much about it and trusted in my own game. I thought that I played pretty well playing my own game and playing to my strengths.”

During his innings of 86 Josh shared a second wicket partnership of 121 with fellow left hander Tom Lammonby.

“I batted for a long time with Tom Lammonby who has played quite a lot of first class cricket. He made me feel comfortable and is a really good mate of mine and I haven’t batted with him before so it was nice to be able to chat to him.

“It was good to back up my 86 with 39 in the second innings and thought I got a bit unlucky with how I got out , but the ball kept low and I couldn’t do much about it. However, overall, I was happy with the way I batted.”

Now he is back home what does the upcoming winter hold forJosh? “Potentially I am going to Cape Town for a month or so before Christmas to play some cricket and then it will be back here for winter training in January, February and March and then the season will come around again.”

Looking to 2026 he added: “I don’t want to look too far ahead but if I kept my place in the championship side that would be very nice. I will definitely put myself forward for it and that’s what I want to be doing, but we will have to wait and see.”