SACA is proud to announce that the Premier Cricket First Grade Division Two best player medal will be named the Sincock Medal in honour of long-serving and highly respected cricketer, coach and administrator Andrew Sincock.
After becoming the youngest pace bowler to play Premier Cricket when he was selected to open the bowling for Kensington at the age of 15 in 1966, Sincock went on to take 762 First Grade wickets, the third highest in South Australian history.
Debuting for South Australia in 1974, Sincock played 39 First-Class games, taking 98 wickets highlighted by four five-wicket hauls and played a key role in the Sheffield Shield winning 1981/82 season.
Beginning his journey at Kensington, Sincock went on to also represent East Torrens, Adelaide and West Torrens, including tenures as captain/coach with each. He was also a member of the SACA Board for 16 years, with his passion for cricket and its positive development stretching far beyond the playing surface. In recognition of this, Sincock was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2017 for services to cricket.
Winning dual Bradman Medals as the State’s best First-Grade player and a C Grade Most Outstanding Medal to close out his playing days before coaching the National Academy, South Australia Under 19’s and South Australia in Sheffield Shield cricket and serving as SACA Vice President and inaugural Chairman of the Adelaide Strikers, Sincock’s list of achievements stretches longer than his run-up.
Sincock said he was thrilled to have the medal named in his honour.
“Some moments in life just make you sit down and wonder, did that really happen? That was what I felt when I was told of this incredible honour.” Sincock said.
“To have my name adorning this medal is something not just myself, but my family and all those who have helped on my journey can be so proud of. I think it is so lovely that my children and grandchildren will know that I have left something that will hopefully live on for a long time. I just love that. I could never thank my amazing wife Yvonne enough for her support throughout our journey.”
“Premier Cricket is the solid foundation of Australian cricket, and it is so vital to celebrate its history and future because that is where all of our cricketers come from. No matter what your aspirations on the cricket field are, to play for Australia or simply enjoy time with your mates, you come through local Clubs, which is just so important.
“I have always been passionate about cricket, and I have been fortunate enough to have had a long and rewarding involvement in the sport. I hope that this medal will inspire current and future generations of Premier Cricket players to strive for excellence.”
SACA CEO Charlie Hodgson said it was fitting that the newly minted medal be named after Sincock in First Grade Division Two’s inaugural season.
“Andrew has made a significant contribution to cricket in South Australia, both on and off the field,” Hodgson said.
“A champion of cricket in all forms, Andrew not only represented South Australia on the international stage, he coached South Australia, served selflessly on the SACA Board and worked closely with Cricket Australia in the development of players that would go on to be a part of a golden age in Australian cricket.
“He was a highly skilled and passionate cricketer, and he has also been a tireless advocate for the sport at all levels. The Sincock Medal will be a fitting tribute to Andrew’s dedication to cricket, and it will be an honour for players to play for this season and long into the future.”
The Sincock Medal will be awarded for the first time at the end of the 2023-24 Premier Cricket season.