Oshane Thomas

His professional story began in 2016, a busy year for him. He played his first Caribbean Premier League games for Jamaica Tallawahs, though he appeared in only two matches that season. He also made his first-class debut for Jamaica that year, and the first batter he dismissed at that level was Devon Smith.

The moment that made people take notice came in the 2017 CPL. Aged 20 and still turning out for the Tallawahs, Thomas faced St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and was timed at 97mph. He finished with three wickets, among them Chris Gayle and Carlos Brathwaite, and was named Man of the Match for the performance.

That raw speed helped carry him into the West Indies side. He made his international debut during the 2018 tour of India, and commentators were quick to praise him. In the Indian Premier League he has been with the Rajasthan Royals since 2019, where his extra pace makes him an appealing option for selection.

The ability to move the ball at high speed is what makes Thomas so valuable, but his game still needs some refinement before he can be considered a finished article. With youth in his favour, careful management of his workload could allow him to develop into one of the most dangerous fast bowlers of his generation.