Star Melbourne batsman Matthew Brown steps away from Premier Cricket
After two premierships at Melbourne, former captain and John Scholes Medal star Matthew Brown is leaving the club. He will play Sub-District cricket next season.
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The demands of work and family have prompted star Melbourne batsman Matthew Brown to leave Victorian Premier Cricket.
The tall, stylish right-hander confirmed today he would not be playing for the Demons next season.
But the 30-year-old did not rule out a return to the club, which he joined as a schoolboy to play in the Dowling Shield.
Brown played in two red-ball premierships for Melbourne, but an innings in a grand final the Demons lost put his name up in twinkling lights.
He received the coveted John Scholes Medal for his hand of 134 not out in the 2016-17 decider against Fitzroy-Doncaster.
Playing every shot with poise and panache, he was left stranded as the Demons were dismissed for 266 in reply to 309.
After the match Lions captain Peter Dickson remarked that Brown’s innings should gain him the attention of the state selectors. He finished the season with a stunning 944 runs at 52.4, but there was to be no state contract for him.
As Brown saw it, he knocked at the door of the Victorian hierarchy, but didn’t bang it down.
He made 398 runs at 30.6 last season, including a ton against Geelong, taking his Premier Cricket tally to almost 5000.
There were seven centuries and 25 half-centuries. He also captained Melbourne for three seasons from 2016-17.
“Young family (he has two sons), busy with work … my time at Melbourne was great for 15, 16 years but it’s time for the next step, time for the next challenge,’’ Brown, who works in legal recruitment, said today.
“The commitment for Premier Cricket is massive. You’ve got to be 100 per cent there, mentally and physically, and there’s enough going on in my life where I’ve reached point I need to step back.
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“Melbourne understand and respect the decision. I go with the blessing of the coach (Ben Vague) and (captain) Cam White. They’ve wished me all the best. It’s been my second home for a long time and it will be sad to say goodbye. The mateships and friendships I’ve made will hold me in good stead for the rest of my life.’’
Brown said he “pushed pretty hard’’ to play at the next level.
“It didn’t work out for me, which is unfortunate, but I leave with no regrets,’’ he said. “I know within myself I did everything I could to try and get to the next level. Unfortunately for me that phone call never came.’’
Brown’s younger brother Henry, a state under-age player, will maintain the family involvement at Melbourne.
Kew announced this afternoon that Brown would be returning to the club to play Sub-District cricket.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Matthew back at the club after such a magnificent career at Melbourne,’’ president Peter Sist said.
“The Brown name has been synonymous with Kew for the best part of the last two decades, and we’re really excited to see Matthew and (brother) Oscar write the next chapter of that story over the coming years.”