Matthew Bacon

Matthew Bacon is a high quality seam bowler, currently playing for the Otago Volts in the Cricket New Zealand doemstic competitions. A well-built Right-arm Fast/Medium seamer, Matthew bowls genuine outswing at a lively pace, clocking in around the 80mph mark. Not a noted batsman at the elite level, Matthew has shown on occasion he can produce some handy lower order hitting. His bowling has proved particularly useful in the shorter, white-ball formats whilst not discounting his red-ball contribtions since joining Otago.

Having originated from Central Districts for whom he played in various age-based sides, Matthew has been somewhat of a journeyman cricketer in his early twenties, spending time in the Central Districts Mens “A” side before trying his hand in Wellington in 2016-17. With opportunity lacking in Wellington, Matthew packed up and shifted to New Zealand’s South Island state of Otago for 2017-18.

His impact was immediate. Having dominated the club scene with 38 wickets @ 10.55 that summer, Otago could not help but pick him and he would debut in the Burger King Supersmash in January 2018. He took 9 wickets @ 12.22 in 4 games with a bests of 4-31 against each of Auckland and his former state, Central Districts. Matthew would carry his outstanding white-ball form in to the 2018-19 season, finishing 4th leading wicket-taker in the Ford Trophy.

In summer 2012, Matt joined Cholmondeley CC as a 19 year old, pciking up 22 wickets @ 25.86 but it was his return in 2019 that was most impressive. Heading to the UK for the first time as a professional, Matt joined Alton CC in the ECB Southern Premier League. In 21 matches, Matt collected 50 wickets @ 16.88, his pace and bounce being too much of a handful for some of the league’s batsmen. More impressive was his coaching and leadership around the club, but with his coaching background, it was not surprising news to hear the club rated Matt as one of the best coach’s they have ever had.

Seeking his third stint in the UK, Matthew will be a popular pick for clubs seeking a fast bowler who can hold up an end with the bat. His outstanding coaching experience as a Cricket Development officer for both the Horowhenua Kapiti & Upper Hutt Cricket Associations will put Matthew very high up the list of options for clubs. He will be joined by his wife and son in 2024.