Pocket Profile - Matt Wright - Gordon District Cricket Club
Gordon District Cricket Club | March 24, 2025
Matt Wright is a left arm orthodox bowler and the proud owner of Gordon District Cricket Club first grade cap number 595.
Let’s find out more about Matt’s journey in the game so far.
In what year were you born?
1999
Tell us about your cricket journey.
I graduated the backyard at about 5 years old to play Milo Cricket and then my first competitive game was at 8 years old for Berowra Cricket Club where I played all my junior cricket. I started playing men’s local cricket for Asquith at 12 and played my first game for Gordon at 14 - and here we still are over 10 years later!
If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a top order batsman all my junior days until about 17 when it turned out I was much better at bowling left arm straight breaks.
Hickman and Ritchard are proud sponsors of Gordon District Cricket Club
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
I’ve always been obsessed with playing cricket, ever since a little kid, and have been fortunate to truly enjoy batting, bowling and fielding. But these days the best part of cricket is spending time with teammates and having a crack together.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
So many great moments to choose from. As a youngster I won a local cricket comp with my Uncle and few comps with my Dad - those will always be special. In first grade, I have great memories of our home T20s for a few years where the entire club would come down to loudly support us - an awesome atmosphere that often continued into the night. There was one particular crunch T20 game that we won to secure a finals spot and I actually got engaged that morning. A great day and awesome to share that with all my club mates. Loud song that day…
Who’s your all-time favourite cricketer?
Like a lot of millennials, Michael Clarke was always my favourite growing up.
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
Nathan McAndrew went pretty close to putting a hole in my hand a few years ago.
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
Steve O’Keefe by a long shot. Man is an absolute genius and his skills are criminally underrated. Should’ve played so much more for Australia.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Tym Crawford’s 50 over double century was (and still is) a scarcely believable innings. I feel pretty fortunate to have been able to watch it live.
Who is the best wicket keeper you’ve had the good fortune to play with?
As a 5th grader, I once sub-fielded for first grade and Ash Doolan was wicket keeping. I don’t think I’ve played with a more skillful keeper than him.
Is there a young player in your club you’d like to nominate as a player to watch?
If you’ll let me suggest 2 - Give Vivaan Ghandi and Toby Robinson a few years and they’ll be doing some pretty impressive things in their careers. Both are only 16-17 years old at the moment.
Who are the two players you’ve come to admire most in your club in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
I’ve always been Axel Cahlin’s number 1 fan - the way he hits the ball is simply unmatched and he thinks about the game in a way that not everyone can. I also love playing with Jamie Bekis, we have some great memories playing together over a long period. Loves to get in the grind and has a lot of mongrel.
What are the two attributes you like to see in a captain and leader?
People management skills are important for all leaders, and I think the ability to really empathise with your players and put yourself in their shoes is underrated. Those sort of leadership skills are often more important than tactical nous.
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
I saw Morgan Wallen, Hardy, Ernest and Bailey Zimmerman live last year and I can’t think of a concert to top those 4. If Taylor Swift tickets weren’t the most highly sought after commodity of all time, I’d love to experience one of her shows.
Who’s considered the biggest pest at your club?
No seed of doubt in my mind, it’s Jayllen Naganayagam. General consensus though, not my opinion....
Favourite location, city or country as a holiday destination?
My ute is set up to travel Australia, and that’s a big passion. I love getting off grid to remote locations anywhere in Australia.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?
This is easy, no one has seen as much of my game as my dad. The poor guy has born the brunt of my obsession and sidearmed to me on Easter, Christmas Day, his birthday, and a million days in between.
Who are the three people in the world you’d love to meet and talk to?
Michael Clarke, Roger Federer and Taylor Swift
What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?
I’m a very keen snowboarder, but that’s probably not awfully relaxing. Love the beach or anywhere you can swim. Exploring the outdoors tends to tick a box for me.
What's your occupation?
I work at Watermatic Irrigation. A bit of a passion I developed for sprinklers and how water works was totally unexpected but I’m fortunate to say I really enjoy what I do for work.
What are your goals for the next season?
The goal is always the same - silverware for the stags.
What would it mean to you to play first class cricket?
There’s no doubt that it would be a dream come true. I’ve quite literally dreamt of it since a very young age. However, I’m at the stage now where I’m more than comfortable that it’s not the be all and end all. I’m so invested in our club and our current team in first grade that I get great satisfaction out of contributing to wins for our group. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in cricket and, whilst I’m still pushing to improve and feel my best days are ahead of me, if it all ended tomorrow, I know I’d look back on it all fondly and with some great memories.
