It was one of the toughest decisions Sam Bates has made during her cricket career but the Wallsend 26-year-old remains determined to one day represent Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
And the left-arm orthodox spinner, who has re-signed with Women's Big Bash League franchise Sydney Thunder for the next two summers, reckons her move from ACT to Tasmania is already paying dividends.
Following a decade linked to representative ranks in the nation's capital Bates recently relocated to Hobart and has started pre-season training with the Tigers under the tutelage of specialist bowling coach Daniel Marsh.
She also turned down an offer to join NSW.
"It was one of the biggest decisions in my cricket career and quite an emotional one," Bates told the Newcastle Herald.
"I had a few offers on the table, but I went with Tasmania and there were some reasons for that.
"I've loved my time at ACT over the last 10 years, but I wasn't progressing as much as I would have liked and my end goal is still to play for Australia.
"There's a left-arm orthodox spin coach in Tasmania and a lot more training, up to 30 hours a week.
"I really want to give it a 100 per cent go."
Bates said 46-year-old Marsh, son of former Test wicketkeeper Rod and himself a former Tasmanian captain, has had an immediate impact on her.bowling.
"He [Marsh] is amazing," Bates said.
"He's really down to earth, is a very intelligent cricketer and understands the women's game.
"I feel like it [the move] has already been beneficial for me."
Although unplanned, Bates joins two other Hunter cricketers in the Tasmanian squad - Corinne Hall and fellow newcomer Maisy Gibson.
"It wasn't planned but it ended up that way with three Hunter girls in the squad," Bates said.
"It's great to play with someone from the same area as you."
Bates, who played juniors at Wallsend where her parents still live, will head to Darwin for trials games with the Tigers later this month.
The 2019-2020 Women's National Cricket League is set to start in late September before season five of the Women's Big Bash League kicks off October 18 and wraps up December 8.
Bates has been with the Thunder since winning the inaugural WBBL title in 2015-16.
"The Thunder have been great to me the last four years and I'm really looking forward to going back," she said.
"Our first season we pulled it off and the big challenge is trying to do it again. We've had a few changes but I want to be part of the rebuild."
Bates toured India with Australia A in October.
"I'd been to India once before on holidays but this [cricket tour] was great," she said. "It's the spin capital of the world so what better place to go. I'll never forget it."
