Rewarding journey

"That's me," the 12-year-old said, pointing to "Ashley Noffke" on the scorecard. A medium-pacer in a fast bowler's body, which was then more comfortable swimming, he was about to make his first representative team. Only two people from that squad from Queensland's Sunshine Coast still play. On Tuesday one has the chance to bowl for Australia.

Getting noticed outside his region was impossible throughout Noffke's high school years. As a lanky frame matured, the speed increased, but it didn't matter that the slips stood so far back that they didn't count as close-in fielders, or batsmen regularly looked for safety at square leg. The state's junior selectors refused to recognise him and the flights and bus trips home from muggy Queensland towns were long. It's probably all forgotten now, but those were the days when talk about determination ended and the practising of it began.

Classroom discussion of the beauty of Mark Waugh's style was doused by Noffke's first-person evocations of the spirit of Steve Waugh, who was still a couple of years from eyeballing Curtly Ambrose and more than half a decade from the captaincy. Backyard games were focused and the aim of bowling seemed to alternate between the garage-door light and the batsman's thigh, a popular target during more formal sessions. Those on easier rides into junior state teams were steadily being passed.

Men's competition was next, where the trials of fourth grade were more painful than difficulties in the firsts, and as confidence developed in the senior ranks the under-age selectors began to call. A Queensland youth tour came and net bowling against the real state players was a highlight that made nightshifts in convenience stores after a day in the field bearable. Following a burst in recognition and a trip to the Academy things slowed a little, despite the capturing of prestigious awards in Brisbane district cricket. Unlike in the junior days, when rugby or athletics could have lured him away, there was no lingering thought of walking.

Queensland debuts arrived, Pura Cups were won and national selectors were alerted to his talent. Having fought for each rise, he was suddenly promoted to an Ashes tour in 2001 where the Steve Waugh from the posters was head of the tribe. Drinks were run from the boundary in the first Test at Trent Bridge the day before the team was roared at the Wimbledon final. It ended quickly with a rolled ankle and the national contract was turned off a year later. After the previous long waits, things had happened too fast.

County trips to England included wickets at Lord's, surprise at the lack of application among fringe players, and pestering from old school friends. Despite a return to Australia's squad for the 2002-03 tour to the West Indies, his back and ankles were struggling under the load. Cricket life became hard and there were times when fitting into the Queensland side was tougher than the rehabilitation. His former junior colleagues, now in their mid-20s, were slowly leaving the game.

Knowledge from studying for a business degree helped set up Fast Bowlers United, a business specialising in spikes for cricketers, and a property portfolio developed with his golf on tricky resort courses. Queensland team-mates now joke Noffke owns half of the Sunshine Coast. It's an exaggeration, but he is as comfortable talking property developing and drought-proofing farms as he is the best bait for reef fish and where to bowl at domestic batsmen.

A well-rounded life, including the responsibility of raising a beautiful young family, eased the professional sportsman's obsession with technique and data. It could not dilute the desire. Two years ago, aged 28, he was finally brave enough to back himself to change. He chopped three metres from his run-up, altered his load-up at delivery and adopted the outlook of a batsman instead of an ambitious but obdurate tailender.

Like his life off the field, everything was in balance, especially at the crease. "At the end of the day I've just worked out about me," he said in between taking eight Sri Lankans in a tour game last month. "I know my capabilities and don't go beyond that."

A new era started at Queensland in October when Andy Bichel and Michael Kasprowicz were injured and Mitchell Johnson was away. It was Noffke's attack and he knew leading it would be fun. Thirty-two first-class wickets at 16.59 have been collected in two months along with 490 Pura Cup runs, more than any specialist batsman apart from Simon Katich and Michael Di Venuto. A healing hamstring is the only concern.

Australia's selectors have been wooed again and he is preparing for the Twenty20 against New Zealand on Tuesday. Previously promotions had taken far too long or came too easily. Now the timing looks right. It may be a one-off or it could end in a Test career. From a distance, it doesn't seem to matter, and any cap, green or gold, will be treasured.

It will be the reward for a man who did not give up when selectors or injuries or successful other interests intervened. The journey is not incredible - players across the world have had similar experiences - but it's amazing to the teenage boys he protected back in those junior teams. Everyone started out with the same aim. Nobody else got close. The ones that didn't now congratulate and admire him.