SOUTH Coast quick Nathan McAndrew is optimistic his Sydney Thunder contract will be a launching pad on to the Australian domestic stage.
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Already spending at least 10 hours per week in a car travelling from Shellharbour to Bankstown to train and play in the Sydney grade competition, McAndrew is open to the idea of moving interstate to play Sheffield Shield.
The 23-year-old's variation with the ball, the back-of-the-hand slower balls and ability to bowl a decent yorker, is seen as valuable enough by Thunder, he was handed a full Big Bash contract, after playing two games last season.
“The longer format has always been the pinnacle of the game,” McAndrew said during the four-day Futures League match between NSW and ACT at North Dalton Park.
“But I guess naturally, my T20 game has progressed a little bit quicker.
“It’s just about getting that consistency in my game to be able to repeat and repeat for four days.”
“Long-term, I’d like to get a state contract at NSW or another state, I think it’s just about performing consistently for AC when I get the chance and for Bankstown.
“I’ve definitely got some things to work on and I know those areas, it’s just about ironing out the creases in my game and try to take myself to the next level.”
McAndrew’s brother Scott plays for Oak Flats in the South Coast competition. Still living at Shellharbour, McAndrew travels two hours each way, five days per week to train and play in the Sydney grade competition.
The Thunder deal has allowed him to develop his bowling, a type of hybrid between big paceman Clint McKay and the niggling seam of ex-Test all-rounder Shane Watson.
“We have a brilliant core of players (at the Thunder),” he said.
“I have quite similar parts, in that McKay has the out the back-of-the-hand slower ball and Watto and I try and swing the ball and bowl yorkers.
“I’ve been able to take pieces of their game and they’ve been really generious with their time and help me work on my game.
“If I can try and emulate some of those things and take it into games, I’ll set myself up for success.”
On a development contract, McAndrew finished with 0-14 off two overs in the Thunder’s semi-final victory over Adelaide, on their way to the Big Bash title last season.
He said the elevation into the squad this year has been a huge boost.
“Just to know you’re around that area and people believe in you,” he said.
“It’s really improved my Twenty20 game and my confidence in the four-day game as well.”