From the outside Peter Forrest appears to have taken to international cricket like a duck to water.
But for the man himself, his whirlwind rise from state cricketer trying to establish himself after moving from NSW to Queensland last winter to international star is still taking some getting used to.
“It feels a bit strange when I walk out there in international colours but it’s good fun, I’m loving it,” Forrest told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
And why wouldn’t he?
Forrest has so far made 238 runs in his four one-day appearances this summer, including a maiden ODI hundred against Sri Lanka in Hobart on Friday.
That score was another personal highlight for the 26-year-old but it didn’t deliver victory, as Sri Lanka claimed a three-wicket win.
It means Australia go into Sunday’s match against India at the SCG still a possibility to miss the finals of the tri-series.
“I was, I knew there was still 10 overs to go,” Forrest said when asked if his dismissal shortly after reaching 100 had left him a bit disappointed despite the joy of reaching the milestone.
“I was trying to help get a score of over 300 for us which would have been way over par for us. That was the goal but unfortunately we couldn’t get there.
“We would have been very happy last night to take away a win and guarantee a place in the finals and keep our momentum going. To play the way we did last night and not get the job done puts us under a little bit of pressure against the Indians.”
Captain Michael Clarke will be monitored after appearing proppy during his comeback match from a hamstring strain, but is expected to take the field on Sunday.
The game could also feature the international return of allrounder Shane Watson after his lengthy injury spell, with out-of-form opener David Warner thought the man most likely to make way.
Forrest said the challenge of keeping a spot with Watson waiting in the wings was one the whole batting order needed to rise to.
“It puts all the batsmen on notice to make sure they’re scoring runs,” he said.
The match is looming as a possible sellout in what is likely to be Indian master Sachin Tendulkar’s final game in Sydney.
And Forrest says denying Tendulkar and his team-mates a victory is his main focus despite his form prompting speculation he could find himself in the Test squad for the upcoming tour of the Caribbean.
“I keep saying there’s still a bit of cricket to be played before that squad’s announced but if I get picked then I’ll be stoked,” he said.
“But we’ve got a game out here this week so we’ve got to make sure we get that job done first.”
