Sydney Thunder coach Shane Bond has hailed Canberra export Matt Gilkes "one of the most exciting up-and-coming batters in Australia" after he signed a three-season deal with the Big Bash franchise.
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Gilkes' contract extension will keep him in lime green until the end of the 2022-23 summer in a massive vote of confidence in the 21-year-old wicketkeeper.
It comes months after Gilkes was elevated to a full-time contract with the NSW Blues, where he is determined to make his mark under the eye of former Australian batsman Phil Jaques.
"We have been getting stuck into pre-season now and we are just preparing to go away for the Shield," Gilkes said.
"Really looking forward to finally getting some cricket in after what has been a bit of a different pre-season. I have been doing plenty with Jaquesy.
"He brings so much experience to the team. He is also a left-hand top order batsman like me. Being able to pick his brains and learn as much as I can from him has been extremely beneficial.
"It's definitely an honour to sign on [with the Thunder] for the next three seasons. I have had the chance to be with them for over the last couple of seasons, I am learning a lot from it and I can't wait to keep on going with the team."
Life on the road is hardly anything new for the rising Thunder star who shifted to Canberra from Ulladulla in a bid to chase his cricket dream.
Gilkes linked up with Western District upon his arrival in Canberra, before quickly emerging as one of the region's brightest young talents en route to a contract with NSW.
He now plies his trade at club level with UNSW in Sydney - but if all goes to plan the Bees won't see much of Gilkes this summer due to commitments at the top level.
"Mum used to drive me over to Canberra twice a week, while I didn't have a licence, to train and to play cricket," Gilkes said.
"My old man has also been my coach all the way through and has kept pushing me as much as I can, even if I didn't want to train as much, Dad would always be there to push me.
"I definitely owe a lot to him and mum, they have given up a lot in their life to get where I have. I am extremely grateful to them.
"From the coaching and going through the pathway in Canberra, I learned so much. It definitely helped me and put me in a great stead to go down to Sydney.
"It provided such a good base for me playing grade cricket there, so I am absolutely stoked I took that route."
