Carpenter and pace bowler Ben Laughlin is hoping to make his one-day international debut some time in April in South Africa.
But if not, he's laughing anyway.
Just a year ago, the Melbourne-born Queenslander was ready to give up on his hopes of playing state cricket.
''I had a decent grade summer [in Brisbane in 2007-08] and I didn't really feel like I was getting anywhere,'' Laughlin said yesterday ahead of Friday's opening one-dayer against South Africa.
''I had pretty much had enough of cricket and then I was lucky enough to get called in for the last [Sheffield] Shield game [in March 2008].
''I went all right in that and then got a Bulls contract this year and I was pretty stoked to get that.
''Then I got picked in the first one-day game, which was probably even more of a shock, and then played them all year long [taking 23 wickets at 14.86] and ended up here.
''It's bizarre. Hopefully I'll get a game along the way somewhere [in the five-match series].
''Even if I don't play, I'm still having a pretty good time. I'm living the dream.''
Laughlin, who opened the bowling for Queensland in the final against Sheffield Shield winners Victoria in March this year, was shocked to be told before the match that he was part of the national Twenty20 and one-day international squad for the tour of South Africa.
Last week the son of former Test all-rounder Trevor Laughlin made his Twenty20 international debut at Centurion, taking 1-32 from his four overs in Australia's 17-run loss.
''I've had a few text messages and e-mails from people staying up until the wee hours of the morning watching us.
''Everyone is pretty pumped about it all,'' Laughlin said.
''I had an e-mail from Dad. He was very excited. He enjoyed my bouncers.''
Laughlin has been mentored by former Australian swing bowler Adam Dale.
''Getting to bowl to Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke is a really big thrill,'' he said.
''Just hanging around with the guys and just talking to [bowling coach] Troy Cooley and all the other bowlers and picking up knowledge that way, it has been really exciting.
''I try to be an outswing bowler. But in the one-day and Twenty20 stuff I tend to mix it up a fair bit and try to get the ball to go reverse in the latter overs.''
Ponting praised Laughlin for his changes of pace.
''The way he thinks about his bowling was really pleasing,'' the skipper said.
Laughlin has bowled himself into contention for a spot in the Twenty20 World Cup squad in England in June.
''I'd love to play all forms of the game but I think my one-day cricket is a long way in front of my four-day cricket,'' Laughlin said.
Laughlin left school after Year11 and has plenty of life experience in his CV before making a late arrival to big-time cricket.
''I've been working full-time for almost nine years as a carpenter so long service is coming up soon,'' he said. ''It really makes me appreciate being paid to play cricket. It's a lot more enjoyable than nailing in nails.'' AAP
FRIDAY
First one-day international: South Africa v Australia at Durban, 11pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports2.
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