Tallangatta coach Matt Armstrong and team-mate Dilhara Lokuhettige will contest the United States’ version of the Big Bash this week.
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The duo will play in the US All Stars team, alongside former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs and Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.
“It will definitely be a career highlight,” Armstrong said.
“It came through Dilhara, who has a lot of contacts, and I was fortunate enough to be selected.”
Former Sri Lankan dasher Sanath Jayasuriya is another of the host of internationals who’ll contest the $100,000 event.
It continues an amazing mid-to-late career run for Armstrong.
He’s played at the SCG and MCG in recent years, and it comes after he was slated for a first-class career as a teenager.
The classy batsman and off-spinner was selected in the national under-19 squad, and attended the Australian Cricket Academy, on a part-time scholarship, with Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson.
“I did well at under-19 level, but when it came to playing with the big boys, I talked myself out of it, I had self-doubt,” Armstrong said.
“It’s one of the regrets of my cricket career.”
But the early disappointments have steeled the all-rounder.
“It’s about making the most of your opportunities,” he said.
“Even if you think something is beyond you, just go for it, and worry about how you’ll achieve that goal once you’re into it.”
Armstrong, who turns 37 next month, has developed into CAW’s best clutch player.
There’s been numerous examples where he’s performed under pressure, perhaps no more so than his superb display in Tallangatta’s grand final win two years ago.
And Armstrong will carry career-best form into the US tournament.
He’s the leading run-scorer with two centuries.
“It’s definitely the best I’ve batted in my time here, I’m not sure I’ve got two hundreds in a year,” he said.
“I just think I’m better suited to the white ball, I see it bigger than the red ball, and feel like I’ll get a big score every time I bat.”
The US Open Cricket tournament, which is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council, starts on Thursday, and will be held over the Thanksgiving weekend.
