Tom Vane-Tempest enjoys being something of an anomaly.
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He is a club cricketer relishing every second he gets to play at the highest level his state allows - Vane-Tempest laughs he just wishes he made more of his latest chance.
Instead it was Ethan Bartlett taking the spotlight to inspire the ACT XI's 17-run win over the Newcastle XI in the Prime Minister's XI curtain-raiser at Manuka Oval on Thursday.
Bartlett blasted nine sixes before being dismissed for 86 from 34 balls to lead the hosts to 4-217 in their Twenty20 exhibition game against Newcastle.
He chipped in with a wicket as Scott Murn stole the show with the ball to make Jeffrey Goninan's stunning 102 (53) come to no avail for the visitors.
Wicketkeeper batsman Vane-Tempest added two runs from as many balls before being sent back towards the Sir Donald Bradman Stand.
Luckily he only has a few days to stew on it before he pulls on an ACT/NSW Country cap for a national Second XI clash with Western Australia at Phillip Oval on Monday.
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The Tuggeranong young gun is joins Ginninderra's Rhys Healy and ANU skipper Dan Leerdam in the squad, to give Canberra's premier competition its highest representation in years.
"It was a good chance to get a hit-out, I obviously didn't face as many balls as I would have liked," Vane-Tempest said.
"The goal next week will be to face as many as possible. That's exciting, and it's a great opportunity.
"It's great to see Dan Leerdam and Rhys Healy make their debuts as well, who are also locals playing in the Canberra competition. It is an honour to represent your state. It's one of the few places in Australia where players at our level can represent their state at the highest level in terms of that cap."
The Comets will ply their trade at Cricket ACT's Phillip Oval base this summer, making a chance to don the blue and gold at Manuka Oval even more special.
"It's fantastic, any opportunity you get to play at Manuka Oval is a good one and one you should take," Vane-Tempest said.
"It should be treated with respect and enjoy the experience. With the quality of players on show in the PM's game, the quality of the oval, the outfield and the pitch, it's pretty special."
AT A GLANCE
Prime Minister's XI curtain-raiser: ACT XI 4-217 (E Bartlett 86, N Broes 42; B Aldous 1-20, A Chad 1-31) bt NEWCASTLE 9-200 (J Goninan 102, J Dickson 38; S Murn 4-31, E Bartlett 1-20) by 17 runs at Manuka Oval.