For 10 long minutes NSW paceman Burt Cockley waited nervously to hear whether he was to become an international cricketer.
Told he was on standby to join Australia's injury-jinxed limited overs tour of India, the affable quick sat in the lounge-room of his Sydney home on Wednesday night and stared at his mobile phone.
Finally after what seemed an eternity, the call came through telling him to pack his bags for the subcontinent as a replacement for Peter Siddle.
'Shocked' only begins to describe his emotions.
"I was in bed watching tele (and) Alex Kountouris, the Australian physio, rang me and asked me how I was travelling," Cockley explained on Thursday.
"I said I was fine, 'what's happening?' He said 'you're on a shortlist to go to India' and I was like 'righto'."
"I walked out to Dad (Ron) and said 'Dad, I think I might be going to India'."
"He got off the lounge and said, 'you're kidding.'"
"He shook my hand and within 10 minutes the selectors rang and said 'congratulations, you're coming to India'."
"It was a massive shock. I thought I wasn't even close. I'm still pinching myself."
"I feel like I'm in a dream to be quite honest."
"Just those words – 'selected for Australia' - I still can't believe it."
It's little wonder Cockley was surprised by his stunning rise.
Just two years ago he was playing district cricket in Newcastle.
He debuted for NSW last year and, while making an impact at Sheffield Shield level (27 wickets at 22.19) he struggled in limited overs cricket.
His three Ford Ranger Cup games produced just one wicket at an average of 158.
He is yet to turn out in a Twenty20 game for his state, failing to play a game in the Blues' Champions League success last month.
But his timely 4-39 in the Blues' easy FRC win over Western Australia on Sunday obviously convinced selectors he had something to offer for the future, his call-up necessitating a leave pass from NSW's Sheffield Shield clash with the Warriors.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. Last night I was shaking," Cockley admitted.
"Hard to believe it, really. It's every kid's dream to play for Australia (and) it's amazing to think that just two and a half years ago I was playing in Newcastle."
"To come this far so quickly, I'm just trying to stay on level ground."
"I've got some butterflies in the belly but if I get to play, I'll try to burn those away pretty quick."