Queensland Bulls Sheffield Shield batsman Martin Love will celebrate a non-cricketing milestone when he graduates from the University of Queensland on August 14.
The powerful number three, a star of Queensland's first Shield victory in 1995, will receive his degree in physiotherapy.
Mr Love, 23, has had plenty of opportunity to put his studies into practice during the long rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction operation last year.
'It does make it a bit easier when you know what to expect after an operation, you know exactly what you have done and what needs to be done afterwards,' he said.
The injury which cost him his position in the Bulls batting line-up this season wasn't the result of slipping after a quick single, but from twisting his knee when helping put on covers at the University wicket.
The only bright spot during the long battle to regain fitness has been the amount of free time Mr Love has been able to dedicate to completing his degree.
'I have finished the degree in four and a half years instead of four years, ' Mr Love said.
'Most of the credit for that goes to the University, which has been really helpful in scheduling exams and letting me catch up on pracs around my cricket commitments.
'I am really looking forward to the start of this season in October because it will be the first time in years I have been able to concentrate solely on my cricket without having to worry about my course when November comes around.'
Mr Love plans to work part-time in a private physiotherapy practice around the cricket season until retiring from the game, hopefully after another decade of successful scoring.
His immediate aim is to restablish himself in the Bulls top order, with a longer-term goal of forcing the national selectors to look at his credentials to wear the baggy green cap of Australia.
Mr Love has already had a taste of top-level international cricket, touring England with the Australia A side in 1995. He has been itching to get back in the middle since watching the Bulls claim their second title last season .
The progression of younger players such as Matthew Elliott, Ricky Ponting and Jason Gillespie into Australia's Ashes dominating line-up has provided an extra incentive to plunder opposing bowling attacks in the coming Shield season.
'Australian cricket is lucky at the moment because there are so many young players around who are ready to step into the side, as has been shown in England,' Mr Love said.
'My goal for this season is to get back into the Queensland side, to play for the whole season, then to try to break into the Australian side, depending on my fitness.
'But I feel fit and ready to go, I have had a couple of hits in the nets and everything has been fine.'
For more information contact Mr Love on 3379-1066.
