Former Wests-UC wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes took a punt on escaping the Canberra bubble and it could land him in Australian colours.
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Gilkes is in line for a call-up to Australian's under 19 World Cup squad as he looks to continue his meteoric rise, meaning his move to Sydney is already starting to pay off.
The ACT/NSW Country under 19 star joined the University of NSW in Sydney's premier cricket competition this season and was originally making the trek up the Hume Highway every week.
He's since moved to Sydney to chase his cricket dream, but he'll still be keeping an eye on Wests-UC's Douglas Cup clash with Eastlake at Jamison Oval on Saturday.
Gilkes has impressed at the Cricket Australia under 19 national championships this week and has six more days to bolster his case for an Australian cap for the 2018 under 19 World Cup.
He's already been earmarked as an Australian prospect after being named in a 28-man preliminary squad for the World Cup, which will be played in New Zealand beginning on January 12.
An Australian call-up would "mean everything" for the Canberra product as he eyes a state contract.
"It's definitely something that you've wanted to do your whole life, and to actually have the chance to be able to represent your country at a high level would be awesome," Gilkes said.
"I'm not really focused on it too much but definitely going well will put my name out there to hopefully be involved in the team.
"Hearing [Wests-UC] are going well, it does make me feel like [I wish I was there] sometimes. You've got to go [to Sydney] sometime.
"I still keep in contact with a few of them and they've been going well, so really proud of them."
Gilkes' former club teammate Tom Engelbrecht stole the show at nationals on Friday in a stellar outing against the Cricket Australia XI, scoring 71 and backing it up with 5-54 and a run-out in the 29-run win.
Teams at nationals will now have a rest day ahead of another round of matches in Launceston on Sunday, with the final to be played on Friday.
Matthew Elliott will coach the Australian under 19 side with Ryan Harris as his deputy, and the pair are keeping a close eye on Gilkes alongside the youth selection panel.
Meanwhile, Steven Murphy will make his 250th club appearance for North Canberra-Gungahlin in his long-awaited return to first grade against Tuggeranong at Harrison Oval.
The last time Murphy played first grade was in his 200th club game.
Meanwhile, ACT/NSW Country claimed the under 18 female national championships title in a thrilling one-wicket win over New South Wales Metro in the decider in Canberra.
The triumph opened the door for ACT/NSW Country stars Rachel Trenaman and Tahlia Wilson to be selected among a list of 24 players that will play in a Women's Big Bash League exhibition match.
Twenty-four of the nation's brightest female players will be split into the Lanning XII and Perry XII, and face off at the MCG following a Melbourne Stars-Hobart Hurricanes clash on January 28.
CRICKET ACT DOUGLAS CUP
Saturday: Round nine: ANU v Queanbeyan at ANU North Oval, Wests-UC v Eastlake at Jamison Oval, Weston Creek Molonglo v Ginninderra at Stirling Oval, North Canberra-Gungahlin v Tuggeranong at Harrison Oval. All games at 11am.
