He's been dubbed the "sweepologist" for his love of getting down on one knee, now Test great Mark Waugh says Alex Ross could be the next ACT Comets product to play for Australia.
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Australian selector Waugh described Ross as the most improved player in the country and added the 23-year-old to a lost of bolters for the national Twenty20 squad in the coming months.
Ross belted a remarkable 65 off just 31 balls in the Strikers' Big Bash League opener against the Melbourne Stars last week before taking on the Perth Scorchers on Monday night.
The outstanding knock followed strong Sheffield Shield form, which included a 92 not out in three half centuries, and after four-years in the first-class system he wants to make his mark.
"It's just the confidence to go out and play my game, that's the vibe and feeling I've got this year and you can run with that as a player," Ross said.
"It gives you the freedom to play your game and the way you want to play rather than try to stick to a plan that doesn't suit you.
"I like batting aggressively but I think my game has changed a little bit this year with the Shield stuff. To really find my feet at that level was a big goal of mine this year so that's what I want to do.
"The difference this year is experience. I'm still learning, it's nowhere near a finished job but hopefully it keeps improving."
Damien Fleming tagged Ross as the "sweepologist" after smashing fast bowlers John Hastings and Scott Boland for slog-sweep sixes in the Big Bash opener. At one stage he smacked three consecutive sixes.
"Yeah, I've heard about the 'sweepologist'," Ross laughed. "But it hasn't really taken off as a nickname [yet], it might be a bit long for that."
Ross is one of several former Canberra juniors who are taking their shot in the Big Bash.
Australia's most successful off-spinner Nathan Lyon continues to press his claims for selection in the national one-day and Twenty20 side while Brad Haddin, Ryan Carters, Jason Behrendorff and Jason Floros are scattered around the country.
Big-hitting Weston Creek Molonglo star Jono Dean is trying to fight for a chance in the Strikers' line-up, but Ross' form could keep him out for now.
Ross said he has benefited from coaches Jamie Siddons and Jason Gillespie taking off the shackles and allowing him to play his natural game.
"In my first year it was sort of awesome to just be picked in a team and you were happy to just compete against other guys," Ross said.
"But as you get more experience, you actually not only want to compete but you want to get the upper hand and dominate a bit.
"That's what I've tried to do year on year and see if I can progress my game and get better whenever I go out there.
"Jono Dean is still crunching the ball and there's no doubt he'll be able to come in if needed. Cricket is about timing, you see it from grade cricket in Canberra or the Comets ... if you're playing well you get your chance."
Ross said it was a "dream come true" to play alongside Sri Lankan great Mahela Jayawardene and has been picking the former Test skipper's brain for tips.
Jayawardene scored 11,814 runs in his 149 Tests for Sri Lanka as well as amassing more than 12,000 runs in 448 one-day internationals.
"Getting to play with guys like Jayawardene and Brad Hodge is one of those things where you pinch yourself," Ross said.
"It' a dream come true to be honest. [Jayawardene] is a great player of spin and that's something I really enjoy as well. It's great to talk to him about that and he's really, really good if you need anything from him."
