ALEX DOOLAN
ALEX Doolan has represented five different teams in his past nine matches but makes his latest trip across Australia today confident of where he stands in his country's cricketing priorities.
No less a judge than Ricky Ponting has tipped the Launceston hot property for an Ashes call-up, but Doolan has spent the summer juggling state and national responsibilities as selectors wrestle over his future.
In the space of 67 minutes on Friday, the 27-year-old was named by both Cricket Tasmania and Cricket Australia for matches at either end of the country.
Doolan's recent agenda has spanned Hobart, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Burnie playing for Tasmania, Australia A, the Melbourne Renegades, Prime Minister's XI and Cricket Australia Chairman's XI.
But as he leaves Hobart, where he scored 31 in Australia A's win against the England Lions yesterday, for Perth, where he will represent the Tigers in Thursday's Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia, the former Scotch Oakburn student adopted a simple philosophy to his hectic schedule.
``Every game is an audition whether you're playing Australia A or domestic cricket and I'd like to keep taking my opportunities and if they keep presenting themselves then good,'' he said.
``Any time you get a chance to play for your country is huge. I love it and love being around the boys and playing some good high standard cricket.''
Doolan was initially named in the Tigers' team for today's one-dayer but was replaced by Mark Cosgrove after receiving the Australia A call-up from Rod Marsh to cover for Callum Ferguson at Bellerive.
The former Launceston batsman, who made 39 in Saturday's seven-wicket win over the Lions, but was the victim of a run-out with century-maker Joe Burns yesterday, insisted he can still focus on the state scene despite being increasingly linked to national duties.
``The Shield game is on my radar . . . that's where my focus will be,'' he said.
``I'm really excited about that because we've got a big Shield season ahead to finish well and hopefully, fingers crossed, make a final.''
On another eventful day for Launceston cricketers, all-rounder James Faulkner was upgraded to the Cricket Australia contract list for 2012-13.
The 22-year-old received the distinction having achieved sufficient upgrade points by playing five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s since July 1.
Faulkner joins other recently upgraded CA contract players including another former Launceston Church Grammar student, George Bailey, and Tasmanian teammate Ed Cowan.
