Tara Murray
It took a little while for Keilor’s Matthew Gaskett to realise the significance of his Roy Paxino Medal win.
The Blues bowler was announced the winner of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division’s best and fairest, finishing on 43 votes.
In England to play cricket, Gaskett was shocked to find out that he had taken the competition’s top honour.
“I received a call from my coach when it was being announced but I unfortunately missed the call,” he said.
“Then I was getting messages from some players from other clubs that were there on the night and also VTCA representatives congratulating me which was special.
“At first it kind of felt like another medal but then as the day went on I couldn’t believe that I had actually won the best player in the competition and it felt pretty cool to know that I was the best player this year.”
Gaskett, who took 34 wickets in the recent season said he hadn’t really reflected on his season, having played non-stop cricket in three countries.
Gaskett’s rise has been a quick one. He made his first XI debut in the 20-21 season and only cemented his sport in the top side last season.
“I am shocked a little bit because my progression has been so fast,” he said. “Not long ago I was playing in the thirds, but I do train a lot and pride myself on training standards so in the skills aspect of my game “I’m not surprised I have progressed to fast because I put the time and effort in to get better. I’m very happy with how it went and cannot wait to get home and start another season.”
Gaskett is currently playing cricket in Crook in Durham. It’s the first time he’s played in England and was loving the opportunity.
“All my teammates are welcoming and so is the club and that’s all I could ask for being the first time away from home,” he said.
“The conditions are definitely different to back home the wickets are a lot slower and softer being so wet over here at the moment it’s hard to prepare a good wicket this time of year, but adapting nicely to the conditions so hopefully I have another good season and take it back home.”
After finishing his season in England, Gaskett will return to Australia in September and prepare for another season with Keilor.
“Hopefully it’s back and forth cricket in Australia and England, it’s been a dream to one day be a professional cricketer,’ he said.
Gaskett was one of two Keilor players named in the senior division team of the year, alongside Miguel Cummins.
Deer Park’s Hashan Wanasekara and Ricky Suvada, Sunshine United’s Neetan Chouhan, Aberfeldie’s Anthony Barton and Charles Thurston, Haig Fawkner’s Viraj Lakshitha and Aziz Ullah, Yarraville Club’s Mitch Johnstone and Druids Nathan Johnson were also named in the team of the year.
Sunshine’s Kaushal Lockuarachchi won the Isaac Howarth Medal for the best player in division 1, while Caroline Springs’ Caitlin Pretty won the women’s player of the year.
