In March, Kepler Lukies was suiting up for Katamatite Cricket Club in Murray Valley Cricket Association’s under-16 grand final.
Last month, the 16-year-old was on the field for his first senior football game for Yarroweyah against Blighty.
Now, Lukies will step onto the international cricket stage once again with the chance to qualify for one of the biggest tournaments in the world.
Lukies has been named in the Philippines Cricket Association’s men’s team for its upcoming qualifiers to reach the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
The Philippines — nicknamed the Carabaos — will take on Japan, Vanuatu and host nation Papua New Guinea in the East Asia-Pacific Regional Finals in July, with a spot in the World Cup — to be held in the West Indies and United States — up for grabs.
“It would be amazing to make it,” Lukies said.
“We have to work hard for that, it would be an unreal experience if that happened.”
The qualifiers, held from July 22-29, will be Lukies’ second taste of international cricket after he made his debut for the Carabaos at the South East Asian Games in Cambodia in May.
Lukies played in two international T20 games against Cambodia and Singapore, also suiting up for a handful of 10-10 and six-a-side games.
“My first ever international game was in some of the toughest conditions I have ever played in in my life,” Lukies said
“I have played on a synthetic pitch two times in my whole life, and my third time was in my international debut. It was extremely hot too.”
A left-arm off-spinner, Lukies took his first wicket against Cambodia and made six not-out against Singapore.
It has been an exciting few days for Lukies, who received some more exciting news on top of his Philippines selection.
“There has been a fair bit on, especially this week,” Lukies said.
“I was picked in the Country Victoria 22-player squad and then a couple of days later the Philippines news came out. It was a massive week.”