DAN Bailey wants to make the most of his unexpected chance.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He will contest a representative tri-series next week after three players were ruled out of the Bush Blues squad based on COVID-19 travel restrictions implemented by host region Canberra.
It comes just a few months after Bailey earned his first cap for Newcastle and helped the defending champions reach the upcoming state final.
Now he's keen to put his best foot forward and ensure he stays in contention for next year's Australian Country Championships, which were cancelled in 2021 because of coronavirus.
"I'm honoured and proud," Bailey said.
"I know they don't just give these caps away. It usually takes a couple of campaigns [NSW Country Championships] to pop up but hopefully I can perform well and keep myself in the mix for next year as well."
Bailey, a roofer by trade who lives at Charlestown, is enjoying quite the purple patch in his cricketing career.
The 28-year-old was Newcastle's leading wicket taker last season with 37 captured across all three formats, featuring an individual match haul of 13, and produced player-of-the-final figures of 5-17 at the SCG in Lake Mac Attack's T20 Regional Bash success.
This summer Bailey has been a key part of Belmont's push up the ladder, sitting third at the Christmas break, and was equal top of the bowlers at his maiden NSW Country Championships with eight scalps.
"I think the hard work is paying off," he said.
"Being leading wicket taker the season before, a five-for at the SCG, my first rep cap, leading wicket taker at that carnival and now this call up.
"It's what you dream about."
NSW Country, Queensland Country and ACT are scheduled to play a mixture of T20 and 50-over fixtures in the nation's capital from Monday to Friday.
A one-off game between the Bush Blues and a NSW Indigenous XI at Bowral's Bradman Oval on January 17 may not go ahead as planned.
Bailey joins Newcastle teammates Nick Foster, Adrian Chad, Nathan Hudson, Ryan Van Kemenade and Daniel Arms in the NSW Country group.
Belmont resume competition away against Waratah-Mayfield on Saturday.
Bailey, who also has the T20 Regional Bash finals series and NSW Country Championships on the agenda next month, could have a trip to England postponed for a second straight season because of the global pandemic.
He was intending to join Cambridge club Histon, having first played with West Midlands outfit Whittington seven years ago.
For faster access to the latest Newcastle news download our NEWCASTLE HERALD APP and sign up for breaking news, sport and what's on sent directly to your email.
IN THE NEWS: