The self-described cricket nuffies, Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney, say their friendship is on hold.
Queensland-born McSweeney will captain South Australia in the Sheffield Shield final starting Wednesday, with South African-born Labuschagne to lead the Bulls.
The pair initially crossed paths about 16 years ago when students at the same Brisbane school.
"I first met Nathan when he was 10, doing trials at Brisbane State High," Labuschagne told reporters on Tuesday.
"I was just finished year 12 and I was just helping out with recruiting and I saw him there and I said to them: 'mate, we've got to get this kid'.
"And unfortunately he ended up going to Nudgee College.
"Then as he came through the ranks and played for Queensland in junior stuff ... I just got to know him."
Labuschagne, renowned for his cricket obsession, recognised a like-mind in McSweeney.
"I loved his appetite to learn, his appetite to grow," he said.
"And that's probably what attracted us the most.
"I just love his appetite to learn the game and that is what I always love: appetite to learn and grow beats talent every day of the week."
McSweeney, now 26, moved from Queensland to SA for the 2021/22 season and wants to lead his adopted state to its first shield success in 29 years.
But McSweeney, who made his Test debut last November, said he wouldn't be in the position to deliver without his mate Labuschagne.
"He's been great for my game," McSweeney told reporters.
"Obviously he's a great cricket brain.
"He has been able to be a successful international player for a long time so I love talking about the game with him and just life and the challenges that you come across as professional cricketers.
"He's a bit older than me, probably seen a little bit more of it, so he's a great one to bounce ideas off.
"I'm very lucky to how open he is about the game, being an opposition player.
"There definitely won't be any mate chat over the next five days but he's been excellent for me."
