Mac Wright feared he'd be watching the domestic one-day cup from the stands but a second chance has blown the door wide open for the Canberra product.
Wright has been picked for the Cricket Australia XI in the domestic one-day cup after he was initially overlooked by Tasmania.
The development side's worth has come under scrutiny having been on the wrong end of a number of thrashings during its first two seasons in the domestic one-day cup.
But Tasmanian-contracted leg-spinner Wright has backed the concept that revived his one-day cup ambitions after he missed the cut for the Tigers.
Prior to the Cricket Australia XI's advent, the door was effectively shut on players that missed selection for the condensed tournament.
But seven graduates from last year's side - which went winless but gave eventual champions New South Wales a serious fright - have been selected in state squads this season.
"It's certainly tough trying to make it into the state First XI. The CA side is a great opportunity for guys that didn't quite make the cut in their states to still get exposed to this level," Wright said.
"It's proven to be a good pathway for guys to get into their state squads. There's a number of guys from last year's squad get into their respective state squads.
"I think it's a very good idea, the CA XI, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity it will give me.
"You train hard all winter and it's nice to be able to get that exposure to guys at first class level and test yourself.
"You're put in front of selectors and it gives you the opportunity for further selection down the track."
Western Australia's Will Bosisto and Josh Inglis, Victoria's Sam Harper and Matt Short, New South Wales' Ryan Gibson and Arjun Nair, and Queensland's Brendan Doggett all made the jump to state selection this season.
Victorian all-rounder Jonathan Merlo is the only Cricket Australia XI player without a state contract, and one of three players eligible for Australia's 2018 ICC under 19 Cricket World Cup tilt alongside Queensland's Max Bryant and New South Welshman Param Uppal.
Former ACT Comets fast bowler Tom Rogers has been named in Tasmania's squad having joined the Tigers on a full contract this season.
Rogers won the Futures League player of the year award last season and his two-year long return stint at the Comets launched him onto the national stage.
Rogers and Wright could go face-to-face when the Cricket Australia XI face Tasmania at Hurstville Oval on October 13.
"That'll be good fun, playing against the guys you train with every week," Wright said.
"I'm sure there'll be a bit of banter thrown around but it will be good to play against a few mates that's for sure."
The Tasmania clash will likely mark the development side's second last game of the tournament, with their campaign beginning against South Australia at Allan Border Field on September 27.
Cricket Australia XI
Max Bryant (QLD), Jake Carder (WA), Jackson Coleman (VIC), Daniel Fallins (NSW) David Grant (SA), Clint Hinchliffe (WA), Jonathan Merlo (VIC), Harry Nielsen (SA), Ben Pengelley (SA), Mark Steketee (QLD), Henry Thornton (NSW), Param Uppal (NSW), Beau Webster (TAS), Mac Wright (TAS). Coach: Matthew Elliott. Assistant Coach: Troy Cooley
Cricket Australia XI matches
27 September vs South Australia at Allan Border Field (QLD), 9.30am start
29 September vs Queensland at Allan Border Field (QLD), 9.30am start
8 October vs New South Wales at Hurstville Oval (NSW), 10.30am start
10 October vs Victoria at Hurstville Oval (NSW), 10.30am start
13 October vs Tasmania at Hurstville Oval (NSW), 10.30am start
17 October vs Western Australia at North Sydney Oval (NSW), 10.30am start
