Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann always had plans to be at Brisbane Heat's Big Bash League games at the Gold Coast's Metricon Stadium this summer - as a supporter.
But the 22-year-old is daring to dream of running out as a player after becoming the last man signed by the Heat for the BBL.
The former Australia under-19 player has earned the final spot in the Heat squad after impressing with eight wickets at 23.62 for Queensland in the recent domestic one-day competition.
Brisbane start their BBL campaign against defending champions Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on December 19 before hosting matches for the first time at Metricon Stadium - against Hobart Hurricanes on December 22 and Sydney Sixers on New Year's Day.
Kuhnemann admitted he had already made plans to be at Metricon Stadium for the games as a fan but now looked forward to being part of the main event under Heat coach and ex-New Zealand spinner Dan Vettori.
"I had been planning to buy tickets to be at the two Heat games on the Gold Coast but now maybe I can start to dream about playing in them instead," he said.
"Having Dan (Vettori) there is going to help me develop my skills, no doubt. He is a legend of the game so I will be keen to learn as much as I can."
Vettori said he had Kuhnemann in his sights after watching him keep his cool as Western Australia's D'arcy Short thrashed 257 in a domestic one-day clash against the Bulls in September.
"While everyone was justifiably excited by the innings, the thing that probably got a bit overlooked was that Matt held his own to take 3-50 from eight overs and dismiss D'Arcy in the process," Vettori said.
"When you consider that was just his second game for Queensland, it indicated that he has a pretty good temperament for the game."
Heat BBL squad: Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (international), James Pattinson, Jimmy Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (international).
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