Cooper Connolly: Phone call that I had made Australian Test squad ‘one of the greatest moments’ of my life

Getting the phone call that I had made the Australian Test squad is quite simply one of the greatest moments of my cricketing career and life. It’s a feeling so surreal it’s difficult to even put it into words ... and that’s a difficult thing when you’re a columnist! National selector Tony Dodemaide rang me on Wednesday night — I have his number saved so I knew it could only mean one thing. He asked me how I was, told me I had been in good form then straight out asked if I would like to go to Sri Lanka. I understood I was in the conversation, but I didn’t expect to be selected. I was in absolute shock and still am right now as I’m writing this. It’s a dream come true for me, I’ve achieved something I always wanted to achieve. Growing up wanting to be a cricketer, the thing you envision is putting on that baggy green and now I have a chance to. It’s surreal that as a 10-year-old I took photos after a Test match at the WACA Ground with the likes of Mitch Starc and Nathan Lyon, guys I looked up to as my idols, and now I’ll tour with them and hopefully get to play alongside them. This gives me the opportunity of a lifetime and now I need to set my mind to putting on that baggy green cap, I want that moment. That’s when I think I’ll really feel the emotion. I know I can perform at the highest level if I get the chance, but I’m just so grateful for this moment that I’ve worked my whole life for. Even if I don’t, being part of these conversations and travelling with these players and coaches is the biggest opportunity I’ve had to improve and I know I’ll come back a better player. This feels like such a reward for hard work, but also has a lot to do with the people around me — the players, coaches and mentors who have backed me. I’m allowed to play my way, the way I want to play and they give me the full confidence to do that. Thursday was a great day, getting to travel over to Sydney with my Scorchers teammates who were so rapt for me. My parents, who are my number one supporters, were absolutely stoked, mum nearly cried. My brother is always away in the army but happened to be home when I got the call too, so that was really special too. All my friends and heaps of Scorchers fans reached out with really nice messages too and you have those moments where you just reflect and are so thankful for the support you get. But I need to turn my attention to Saturday’s game against the Sixers. I back myself as being cool, calm and collected so while a Test call-up will be in the back of my mind, I’ll just play my cricket. All that will matter on Saturday is that scoreboard, I won’t be focusing on anything else but that and my processes. As for right now I’m just enjoying this moment. I’m shocked, I’m happy and I’m so grateful for this life that I get to live.