All-rounder Ed Barnard is hoping to emulate the example of Tom Kohler-Cadmore who forced his way into the Worcestershire side last season after impressing during the 2014 pre-season campaign.
Barnard is currently playing for Queanbeyan District in the Australian Capital Territory first grade competition and scored his first century for his club just before Christmas as well as topping their bowling averages.
But soon the thoughts of Barnard and all the other Worcestershire players Down Under will turn to the pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi in early March and the 10 days of warm-up cricket back home before the LV = County Championship programme gets underway.
He admits it is a "dream" to be a professional cricketer and is determined to make the most of his opportunity.
Here Ed features in part two of our Question and Answer session with the England Under-19 player.
Question: Do you take encouragement from what Pepsi (Kohler-Cadmore) did last year in doing well in Abu Dhabi and starting the season in the side.
Answer: "Yes, I think he Is a great example of someone who worked extremely hard in the winter and then took his chance in Abu Dhabi and consequently was rewarded with first team cricket."
Question: How much have you learnt from the England Under-19s. John Abrahams was very complimentary about you before he finished with the Under-19s?
Answer: "It's been an honour to play for the Under-19s and be around all the top class coaches that they have to offer.
"It's also given me exposure to high quality opposition from around the world in some high pressure situations."
Question: How excited are you by it being your first full season as a fully pledged professional in 2015?
Answer: "Beyond excited I suppose as it's something many people dream of doing.
"So to actually get the chance to play as a career, I feel very lucky and hope to make the best of it."
Question: Does it help as a young player knowing so many of the lads in the squad through progressing together via the Academy. How close is the bond between the lads?
Answer: "Yes, it's brilliant that we have such a young squad and that many have come through the academy which gives great credit to the clubs system.
"But, yes, it means we are all very close and we have been around each other a few years which hopefully will make the transition slightly easier."
Question: Finally, is there anyone at New Road who has been a particular help in developing your game.
Answer: "I'd say both Dolly (Damian D'Oliveira) and Bumpy (Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes) have been supportive and helpful in my cricket.
"But also Paul Pridgeon (head of cricket at Shrewsbury School), who I have done a lot of work with, has been extremely helpful for my game."
