‘I’m always trying to get better’: Hinks claims second league best-and-fairest

By Josh Huntly

Mar 9, 2023

Winner: Echuca’s Matt Hinks was the winner of the 2022-23 Turner Medal. Photo: Josh Huntly

Five years after winning Goulburn Murray Cricket’s A-grade best-and-fairest as a 19-year-old, Echuca’s Matt Hinks has once again taken out one of the league’s most prestigious accolades.

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The 24-year-old took out the award with 11 votes ahead of equal-second runners-up Tyler Jones of Leitchville-Gunbower and BLU’s Regis Chakabva.

Hinks won the 2017-2018 gong alongside Tongala’s Adam Nunn as an all-rounder, but this season it was with the bat where he did his damage, whacking 409 runs at an average of 58.

Hinks said his form simply boiled down to a determination to improve for the team.

“I’m always trying to get better and the league’s improved a lot this year,” Hinks said.

“I was just trying to do my bit for the team.

“I’ve been to England since then and I’ve matured as a person as well as a cricketer.

“I was 19 when I won it the first time, being 24 now I know my game a bit better.”

A quad injury kept the talented paceman from the bowling crease for most of the season, but with such a strong bowling attack at Echuca’s disposal Hinks said he was simply happy to play his role.

“It wasn’t ideal, I like to pride myself on being a bit of an all-rounder but the boys have been getting the job done with the ball so I haven’t needed to rush back,” he said.

“It would have been nice to get a few overs under the belt but I’d sacrifice all that for any team success.”

Hinks said extensive training alongside teammates Brendan Moyle and brother Charlie was a contributing factor to his form, also thanking skipper Simon Maddox for the opportunity to play his game.

Hinks is just the third league multiple-award winner in GMC history alongside Michael Hill (two) and Taylor Beard (five).

In women’s A-grade, Echuca premiership player Sharon Hensen earned the league’s top individual women’s gong after a stellar year with the bat.

Goulburn Murray Cricket award recipients

A-grade best-and-fairest: Matt Hinks (Echuca).

A-grade champion player: Tyler Jones (Leitchville-Gunbower).

B-grade best-and-fairest: James Harney (Elmore).

C-grade best-and-fairest: Jack Hepburn (Stanhope).

D-grade best-and-fairest: Brett Munro (BLU).

Women’s A-grade best-and-fairest: Sharon Hensen (Echuca).

Umpire of the year: Gary Langdon.

Volunteer of the year: Eric Bish (BLU).

Women’s under-21 player of the year: Jamieson Moore (Shepparton).