Matt Burns - always have a crack
Flinders Cricket Club | November 28, 2023
Matt Burns affectionately known as the swing king has been a terrific contributor to the Flinders Cricket Club.
He has taken well over 350 wickets for the club and is a proud premiership winning player.
Let’s find out more about Matt’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1975
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I can’t remember my first game but I played with Chelsea under 12s. We got to the grand final and Lost
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
So after the loss, I went away and worked on my game. A mate of mine Dan Bray got me back into cricket with Seaford Tigers. Played a few seasons there then went to Flinders, Baden Powell, Omega and Back to Flinders with a season at Kelso in Scotland. Played Vets on Sundays for Brandon Park-Notting Hill.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
Played my first senior cricket game when I was 19 or 20 for Seaford Tigers
What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?
Highest grade is Provincial with Baden Powell and Flinders
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Open or first change bowler and a low order bat in the early days. A few years later after getting help with my batting I turned myself into an all-rounder. Over the last few years, an opening bowler and bating 10 or 11 with bad knees.
What were your strengths as a player?
Trying to get early wickets, tie an end down, play hard but fair and have a beer after the game.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
96 with Omega 2s.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Was 6 for 10 until I took 9 for 45 for Flinders vs Baden Powell.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Too hard to pick three but names like Dale Irving, Collett brothers, Simon Dignan, Jake Wood, Addy Hussain, Darren Oakley, N Haythorp, Terry Doyle, Ken Cremen, Jayde Herrick, Matt Gale, Justin Cross
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
John Forrest, Matt Prosser, Yohan Maddege, R.White, Z Horsley, John Harrison, Leigh Janssen and Kaine Smith.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Jamie Symes, Shane Beggs, Chris Brittain, Nick Christides, Mark Cooper, Leigh Lowry, Craig Friebe, Bob Wilson, T Malane, Simon Dart, Gaz Wyatt & Dan Warwick.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Anthony Blackwell at Flinders, just smashed it everywhere for 175.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
I would say Terry Doyle as he was always at you in 3 spots- yorker, body, and head
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
Playing in provincial at the age of 44 or 45 with bad knees and chasing runs in the veterans grand final. I had to dig in to chase the runs down.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Mason Mail, Tim Clarke, Jamie Symes, Simon Parrott, G Beckett, Andrew West and Tom Hussey.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Mark Maddock and Marty Cunningham
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Dwayne Field- just backed me every time.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Dwayne Field comes to mind easy but lately Gav Symes.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Banter stays on the field but one thing that comes to mind is a dog putting Mark Maddock on his ass vs Seaford Tigers.
Who was your childhood hero?
Michael Jordan and still is.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Michael Jordan, John Rahm and Dusty Martin.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Adam Gilchrist
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Flinders CC
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Getting Nick Jewell out three times the year Flinders won the flag vs Main Ridge.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
First flag with Flinders
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Dwayne Field, Collis King and Doug Wilson.
What are your hobbies?
Golf
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Always give 100% and have a crack
What’s your occupation?
Kookaburra Sports
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
More junior cricket camps for boys and girls and review the points system again.
