Jordan Moran hopes the success he has achieved in recent seasons proves to young country-based cricketers it is possible to play and play well at the highest level.
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Moran’s tremendous performances at a local and representative level were recognised on Saturday night when he was awarded the Josh Hazlewood Medal as the Male Country Cricketer of the Year.
The Rugby star had a stellar season on the representative stage, piling on the runs for Dubbo, Western Zone and also NSW Country at the Australian Country Championships.
His efforts there, highlighted by a stunning century against South Australia Country, saw him earn selection in the prestigious Australian Country side.
“It’s an honour and something you just don’t think of,” Moran said of his Medal win.
“It’s pinnacle for playing in the bush so it can’t get much better than that.”
While delighted with his own efforts, Moran’s hopes his performances and recognition has also captured the attention of younger players.
As a leading junior coach, largely through his work as a school teacher, Moran is someone who is always focused on the development of the game and betterment of players so he was keen to show younger players there were pathways to the top.
You can’t take it for granted and I want to help drive players to play at the highest level they can.
- Jordan Moran
“I hope so and I hope it’s opened a few younger eyes and proved you can achieve great things in the bush,” he said.
“Hopefully through the way I carry myself on the field and off it has people looking up to me and make them say ‘I want to play at the level’.
“It’s very humbling to play at that level but you can’t take it for granted and I want to help drive players to play at the highest level they can, whether that is in the country or in Sydney.”
Saturday night’s Country Cricket Annual Dinner at the Cobram Barooga Sports Club was a special one to be a part of for many reasons.
Not only did Moran get to rub shoulders and catch-up with many of the other leading players from regional NSW, he got to witness Western Zone recognised on the big stage.
Bathurst’s Lisa Griffith made it a Western double in the major awards when she collected the Alex Blackwell Medal as the Female Country Player of the Year while Cowra-based Western Zone mentor Matt Crawley was named Country Coach of the Year and Graeme Glazebrook, from Bathurst, was named NSW Country Umpire of the Year.
Moran added the win made him more motivated to achieve success in 2017/18.