If ACT Comets gun all-rounder Vele Dukoski needs any inspiration when he walks out to face Australian cricketers Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc, all he has to do is look at his hands.
Dukoski carried so much concrete while labouring on Friday, he could barely move his hands and he knows his selection for NSW Country to take on NSW City in a 50-over game at Penrith on Sunday is an opportunity to stake a claim for a cricket career.
The 24-year-old had a breakout summer last season, not only making his Comets debut, but getting named the Futures League player of the year, as well as picking up the Solway Medal as the Comets best player.
He scored 314 runs at an average of 44.86 and took 14 wickets at just 19.43.
It led to him earning a spot for Country alongside fellow Canberrans Nathan Lyon and Ryan Carters, as well as former Test bowler Trent Copeland and emerging Aussie quick Josh Hazlewood.
The City team is also packed with talent, including Smith, Starc and Twenty20 internationals Steve O'Keefe and Ben Rohrer.
Dukoski considers it as a massive opportunity to impress NSW and other selectors.
"I can't move my hands ... I think cricket is my way out of work hopefully, that's my life goal – to not work, and play sport," he said on Friday.
"I was a joiner, but it's pretty quiet at the moment for work so I've just done some labouring for my cousin.
"Labouring is good, picking up bricks, mixing up mud, it's a good way to get some muscles.
"I'm sure [my hands] will be all right to hold a bat for a couple of overs."
Dukoski only took up cricket when he was aged 16, his Macedonian background making soccer an obvious choice before he had a few hits in the net with some mates.
It led to him joining Queanbeyan and from that, his journey began.
Now at Eastlake, the hard-hitting middle-order batsman is most excited about throwing on the pads and walking out to the middle.
He'll also get the chance to play for the Comets against Afghanistan and Ireland over the next fortnight as part of he two countries' Cricket World Cup preparations, but he's most looking forward to the game on Sunday.
"I reckon walking out to bat will be the biggest thrill, seeing the guys around me and who I'm playing against," Dukoski said. "I reckon that will be the biggest thrill.
"I think I'm batting six or seven so hopefully I can come in with about 20 overs to go and show my skills then.
"If I do well, who knows what can happen – I could play for NSW, I get contracted, I don't know what's going to happen – but hopefully I do well and someone looks at me, they pick me and from there the start of a new journey."
