Matthew Revis is hoping a winter of grade cricket in Queensland can help fast-track his development as an all-rounder with Yorkshire.
Revis’s progression this summer has been impressive, the 21-year-old hitting his first two centuries in the LV= Insurance County Championship added to his maiden five-wicket haul.
In the last two rounds of Division Two action – against Derbyshire at Scarborough and Glamorgan at Cardiff – the Steeton-born star has hit a century and taken five wickets.
Picture by John Heald. Matthew Revis celebrates this week’s five-for against Glamorgan.
And after, a three-week post season break through early October, he will be jetting off to Australia with hopes of continuing his progression as a middle order batter and seam bowler.
“I’m going to go and play for the Gold Coast Dolphins in the Queensland Premier League,” he said. “We’ll be playing against the likes of the Sunshine Coast and other teams in and around Brisbane. I’m really looking forward to it.
“Joey Evison from Kent I think is going there at Christmas, and he was at that club last year. He’s said some good things about it.
“When Mark Steketee was over here with us, he spoke highly of the league. He had plenty of good things to say. I’ve got full faith that if Stek is saying good things about it, it will be a good experience.
“Hopefully I can go there, perform, be fit and healthy and raring to go for next year and push my game on even more.”
Revis will be in Australia from late October to early March. He will be joined in that part of the world by a number of Yorkshire team-mates. James Wharton, for example, is travelling to Perth around the same time to play for Wanneroo in Perth.
“I’ve tried to go in previous seasons, but now is that right time,” said Revis. “Lads are old enough now to cater for themselves and take opportunities like this.
“Last year was an important winter for us at home, our first full one with Gibbo and the other coaches. It was a good one. But now he sees it as a good move and trusts us that we’ll come back ready and raring to go ahead of next season.”
In all first-team cricket this year – 28 appearances – Revis has scored 699 runs and taken 32 wickets, including bests of 106 and 5-50.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Matthew Revis celebrates his century against Derbyshire.
He is only the fourth Yorkshire uncapped player in the 21st century to score a hundred and take a five-for in the same first-class season. The others are Adil Rashid in 2007 and 2008, David Wainwright in 2009 and George Hill in 2022.
Revis also took a Metro Bank One-Day Cup hat-trick against Kent in August.
“It’s one thing playing first-team cricket, but it’s another trying to hammer it home and cement your place,” added Revis. “I feel like I’ve done that in parts.
“The more you can contribute to the team in different ways, like I have done these last two games, can only be a good thing going forwards.”
