His ACT/NSW Country Futures League side taking on intra-state rivals NSW Metro in his own backyard at North Dalton Park, with the chance to secure the Futures League title with a victory. 

Instead, McAndrew finds himself sitting in the stands, watching on as his teammates make a steady start with the bat, having suffered a quad injury in a practice match last week.

It’s disappointing, he concedes, but the Oak Flats junior is able to view this match as just one small hiccup in what was ultimately a successful season.

It was a season in which he continued to develop with both bat and ball in the Futures League and featured in four matches for the Sydney Thunder.

It’s a year, the 25-year-old recognises, that he made solid progress towards his ultimate goal, to crack the NSW Blues squad and represent his state in the Sheffield Shield.

"I've definitely had some ups and downs throughout the season," McAndrew said. "But as a player as a whole, I've improved this season. I've gained a yard of pace and my batting has definitely come on in leaps and bounds.

"At the Futures League level, I would consider myself a genuine all-rounder now, I'm averaging 56 with the bat. That's crucial for me taking my game to the next level, showing I'm an all-rounder will help my cause."

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The injury is a minor one, with McAndrew only set to be impacted for one to two weeks. Once he completes the rehabilitation process, McAndrew will launch into off-season training.

Whereas in previous years, he has chosen to travel to England during the Australian winter, McAndrew has opted to remain in Australia in 2019.

The winter will see McAndrew spend time in the nets working on both his batting and bowling, attempting to build consistency ahead of what he knows will be an important 2019-20 season. 

"I'll just be staying local. I'll complete a couple of subjects at the University of Wollongong, working towards my civil engineering degree, and work hard at training. Once I'm back healthy, I'll be back in the gym preparing my body as best as possible for the upcoming season.

"Next season I'm looking to build on what I've done this year. If I can develop a bit more consistency with my bowling, I'll be able to take myself to the next level and try get a spot in the Blues Shield side."

While McAndrew is focused on achieving success in the longer form of the game, he has also excelled in the Twenty20 format.

"It's difficult going between formats, but my Twenty20 game's evolved a little quicker than my four-day game. I want to play both formats, but Big Bash is currently my biggest focus, it's where my immediate future lies. 

"I've been with the Thunder for four years, each time on a one-year deal. I would love to go out next season and really impress, increase my stock and hopefully get a bit more security with a long-term contract."