If you have to pick one cricketer to model your game upon, there are few better than Australian great Michael Hussey.
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That's exactly what ACT Comets batsman Matt Condon did.
The 18-year-old Batemans Bay product will put all his lessons to good use when he lines up alongside Hussey for the Prime Minister's XI against England at Manuka Oval on January 14.
Condon was a popular choice for the spot designated for a Canberra player.
Although he now plays his club cricket in Sydney with Easts, Condon developed his game with Wests/UC in the Canberra first-grade competition.
He was the competition's leading run-scorer last summer and has become a regular for the Comets in the Futures League.
Condon secured a rookie contract with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League and later this month will captain the ACT/NSW Country team at the under-19 national championships in Adelaide. That's after he makes his debut for the PM's XI alongside Hussey, Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins, international all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Canberra product Jason Behrendorff.
"It's pretty special for me to play with some big-name players against some quality opposition," Condon said.
"Mike Hussey's my hero, that's what I'm looking forward to and excited about.
"I'm hoping to have a bit of a chat with him and how he goes about his game and what I can put into my routines."
Hussey has had a sensational career, scoring more than 6000 Test runs at 51 and being one of Australia's most consistent performers during his 185 one-day internationals.
Even at age 39, he continues to excel with the Sydney Thunder.
"He's a left-hander, I'm a left-hander, like-for-like player, so I picked him and he scored all the runs at the time," Condon said.
"I love the way he drives. That was definitely something I took from his game and put into mine."
Condon showed all of his class in scoring a composed century against World Cup side Ireland in a game against the Comets in September last year.
Comets coach Mark Higgs said Condon deserved his opportunity.
"A lot of players stagnate around that 19 and 20 age, whereas Condo's managed to keep evolving, keep challenging himself and pushing," Higgs said.
"That's the most pleasing thing. "For a young up and coming player who is coming through our junior ranks or is coming into our senior ranks, it's their chance to show their skills at at an international level."
Weston Creek Molonglo leg-spinner Mac Wright was named as 12th man.
