He was playing Minor counties cricket for Berkshire at the age of 15, Dollery joined Warwickshire in 1934, and was a mainstay of the team until retirement in 1955.

Dollery's principal claim to fame, though, was as one of the first professional captains in English first-class cricket,[1] and certainly the first successful one.

Appointed joint Warwickshire captain in 1948, he took sole charge the following year and retained the post for seven seasons.

"[2] It also stated: "Dollery believes that by living among his team the professional captain knows more about his men than can the amateur who stays separately.

[3] Following retirement from cricket, Tom and his wife Jean became the stewards at Edgbaston Golf Club and he was landlord of The Falcon pub in Haseley, Warwickshire.