Victorian batting prodigy Ashley Chandrasinghe is as unfazed by the growing hype around a potential Test career as he was facing experienced quicks on his Sheffield Shield debut.
The composed 20-year-old compiled a stunning century in his first-class debut during last week's draw against Tasmania in Hobart.
Chandrasinghe was unflappable, finishing unbeaten on 119 against a Tigers attack containing former Test pacemen Jackson Bird and Peter Siddle.
Coming in at No.3, Chandrasinghe top-scored for Victoria to cement his status as a young gun Australia's selectors will be watching closely.
"Any kid playing cricket aspires to represent Australia and get the baggy green," he said at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on Thursday.
"It's definitely something you want to strive towards.
"I've only played one game so I'm just trying to take it each game as it comes - if that comes further down the line then so be it.
"There's definitely no time constraint. If I can get there at any time I'll be happy."
A trademark of his junior days and his Victorian Premier Cricket career with Casey-South Melbourne has been Chandrasinghe's ability to occupy the crease.
The classy left-hander faced 333 balls in his maiden first-class innings to wear down Tasmania's star attack.
"It's definitely something that was drilled into me from when I was quite young.
"My coach Owen (Mottau) said to me, 'You can't make runs if you aren't at the crease'. That's the sort of mentality that I take when I try to bat," Chandrasinghe said.
"Maybe when I was a little bit younger, I might have been a little bit self-conscious about that (the scoring rate), but with the red ball and what the guys have asked me to do, that is just playing my role."
Chandrasinghe was born in Australia, but comes from a Sri Lankan background.
He grew up idolising Australian great Mike Hussey and Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara.
"I was always an Aussie supporter," Chandrasinghe said.
"I owe Australia everything, Victorian-born, so I can't really betray the Aussies like that.
"But it's always a good game to watch (Australia against Sri Lanka)."
Chandrasinghe will next be in action for Victoria when they face Queensland at the Gabba, starting next Thursday.
