Most Australian kids grow up dreaming of scoring a century in the baggy green, not against it. Imagine the reaction if you told a young Angela Reakes she would one day make the latter a reality.
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Reakes blasted a memorable ton for an ACT Invitational XI against Australia in the national side's lone warm-up for a maiden pink ball Test in November 2017.
The three-day pink ball clash at Manuka Oval pitted Australia's best against the ACT Meteors, and Reakes made sure the national side were made to work.
Seeing the Meteors decked out in white was a rare sight and Reakes' unbeaten 103 (141) was a knock fitting of the occasion against a full-strength Australian attack boasting the likes of Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt.
But how much of it she remembers is anyone's guess.
"It just flashed by really," Reakes said after play.
"The pitch was really good out there and it was just a really good contest the whole day. I've played one three-day game before against England, but it's a bit different with the pink ball and under lights.
"It's just really exciting, it's something different. It was pretty intimidating, they were all joking about Pez [Perry] bouncing me at one stage, and last time I was here she actually hit me so that was a bit scary.
"Other than that it was just a really good challenge."
Australia's major warm-up for the Ashes Test petered out into a draw as they set their sights on a date with England at North Sydney Oval which would mark the first women's Test under lights.
The rarity of women's Tests add to the allure of the baggy green but Perry's sparkling double-century inevitably led to calls for more long-form cricket in the female game.
If it provides more opportunities for Australia's female cricketers to put their name up in lights - and in Reakes' case, under lights - surely it must be given serious consideration.
"I think there was massive hype coming into this and it's definitely lived up," Australian quick Lauren Cheatle said during the tour game.
"It's definitely really different with the pink ball, it was really exciting to bowl with to start with but we found out it does get pretty old by 80 overs and you do want a new one.
"It's a really cool experience fielding under lights with a pink ball, it's been really exciting."
The Canberra Times is counting down 11 magical Manuka Oval cricket moments ahead of an historic Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka on February 1.
Got a magic Manuka memory that should be on the list? Let us know at sport@canberratimes.com.au
THE COUNTDOWN SO FAR
No. 8: Angela Reakes shines against the baggy green
