For any young cricketer, getting the chance to chew the fat with Australian opener David Warner is a priceless experience.
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It is the sort of elite company exciting Queanbeyan batsman Henry Hunt aims to be keeping on a more permanent basis.
Hunt was given an invaluable insight into the inner workings of the Australian team after being called in as 13th man for the one-day international against India at Manuka Oval on Wednesday night.
Having recently returned from representing the Australian under-19 team in Dubai, Hunt's education was ramped up in helping the reigning 50-over world champions with their preparations.
That included throw downs with John Hastings and James Faulkner, running out drinks during the game, hitting balls for fielding practice and having a chat with Warner on the boundary rope.
He also spent plenty of time with fast bowler Scott Boland, who was on 12th man duties.
"It shows you what benchmark you've got to aim for and what things you have to do, not only on the field, but off the field, to achieve what you want to achieve," Hunt said.
"I can take a leaf out of those blokes' books and learn off them.
"Hopefully I build some aspirations to follow in their footsteps and be where they are at the moment."
Hunt's own career is progressing nicely.
The Grenfell product will return to ACT Premier Cricket on Saturday for Queanbeyan in the second day of their match against Wests/UC.
He has been in sublime form for the Bluebags scoring four centuries in his past four innings.
In between, Hunt produced impressive performances at the national under-19 championships with 408 runs at an average of 51, leading to his selection in the Australian team for the under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.
Cricket Australia pulled out of the tournament citing security concerns, with the under-19 team instead playing a tri-series in Dubai against New Zealand and Pakistan.
"I was disappointed as nearly everybody would be not to play in a World Cup, but at the end of the day it's not my decision to make those calls," Hunt said.
"Cricket Australia didn't feel comfortable sending us there and I'll back them with whatever decision they make.
"It was a good experience playing in some different conditions and trying to adapt to them because that's what you have to do as a professional cricketer."
Hunt will also be back in action for the ACT Comets for their Futures League match against Tasmania at Blundstone Arena starting on Monday.
But his immediate focus is helping Queanbeyan avoid an outright defeat against Wests/UC.
In other games, Weston Creek Molonglo need another 88 runs with seven wickets in hand for first-innings points against Tuggeranong, Eastlake are in control against ANU and North Canberra Gungahlin will be chasing an outright win against Ginninderra.
ACT Premier Cricket: Douglas Cup: Progress scores: Tuggeranong 193 v Weston Creek Molonglo 3-105 at Chisholm Oval. ANU 150 v Eastlake 5-138 at ANU North Oval. Wests/UC 8-216 v Queanbeyan 118 at Jamison Oval. Ginninderra 137 v North Canberra Gungahlin 3-191 at Kippax Oval.
