Nathan McAndrew's off-season move to South Australia is set to pay dividends, with the Oak Flats all-rounder in line to make his long-awaited Sheffield Shield debut on Friday.
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The 28-year-old has been named in the Redbacks' 13-man squad for their opening Shield clash with Western Australia at Karen Rolton Oval. If selected, it will cap a dream come true for McAndrew, who left NSW ahead of the 2021/22 season in a bid to finally play his first game in Australia's premier red-ball competition.
"The final 11 hasn't been announced yet, but I feel like I'm in a pretty good place and ready to go if I'm called upon. We've got a really strong squad named, so hopefully we'll be able to compete with the WACAs over the next week and come out with a win," McAndrew said.
"I don't think there's anyone in my position as a bowling all-rounder in the squad, so coming over to South Australia I felt like I had a point of difference to the other bowlers. I felt like it was always going to be a move to provide me with the opportunities that I wanted and I made no secret that I really wanted to play Shield cricket.
"Last year, if it wasn't for COVID, I probably would have got that opportunity at NSW with Sean Abbott selected in the Australian squad to go to South Africa. But once that tour was cancelled, not only was Sean Abbott still there, (Josh) Hazlewood, (Pat) Cummins, (Mitch) Starc, (Steve) Smith and (Dave) Warner were around, so I pretty much had no chance to get a spot. Moving forward, and to give myself the best chance to have a long run at it over a number of years, it was a no-brainer really to come to South Australia and pursue that opportunity."
McAndrew's Shield opportunity comes days after he made his Mash One-Day Cup debut with the Redbacks. The all-rounder, who has been a mainstay with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, dismissed Western Australia batsman Josh Inglis after he chopped a ball on to the stumps.
It was a highlight in a tough day for South Australia, as Josh Phillipe and Mitch Marsh both posted centuries in a comprehensive win for the visitors at Karen Rolton Oval on Wednesday.
"In 10 years time, I'll be able to say that I bowled him through the gate, as the story grows as it always does," McAndrew said.
"But it's always good to get that monkey off the back, you don't want to go zero-for in your debut. The first one's out of the way and hopefully it's the first (wicket) of many for South Australia."
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
