Sydney Thunder recruit Taneale Peschel is ready to take the leap and shed the post-career what-ifs.
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Part of Western Australia's system since her teens and Perth Scorchers' fourth leading wicket-taker in WBBL history, Peschel has inked a two-year deal with the Thunder.
"You've got to jump into the deep end of a pool and see if you can swim," Peschel told AAP.
"Am I scared? Absolutely.
"It is kind of frightening when you go into a new environment. And you're well known in an organisation."
Peshcel has not been easy for clubs to prise away from Perth.
She has represented Western Australia in various forms from her early teens, and was one of the Scorchers' best in the side's 2021 title win, taking 2-23 from four overs in the final.
The 29-year-old even said no to Meg Lanning four years ago, when the former Australian captain attempted to take her to the Melbourne Stars.
But in the time since, Peschel has felt the need for change, feeling her career go with the club she has taken 50 wickets for.
"I have always wanted and I always will strive to play cricket for Australia," Peschel said.
"I hope when I leave I can sit back and say I gave everything an opportunity to do that. If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, that's fine too.
"But I don't want to leave the game thinking what if?
"You will always have what-ifs, but (I'd be thinking) you felt stagnant at that time, why didn't you take the leap?
"I think at the time you don't really know. But when things feel right on the inside, that's when you know. And things feel right at the moment to take the leap."
Peschel's decision to leave Perth came while stuck in the New Zealand glacial town of Franz Josef earlier this year, while on a holiday with her sister Eleasha.
The quick spoke with multiple clubs, but was ultimately won over by Thunder coach Lisa Keightley.
It was Keightley who brought Peschel back to elite cricket in Perth, after as a 19-year-old she walked away from the demands of a professional system that was still offering amateur-level pay.
"Back then, I had no idea how to be an elite athlete. I didn't enjoy the people or the environment.
"Basically I tried all these kind of jobs over a few years. And still played club cricket.
"But Lisa was really open about it and said why don't you just give it another go.
"If you like it, you like it. And if you don't, that's okay too. I'm not telling you this is what you've got to do. So I took the leap back.
"And things feel right at the moment to take the leap again."
Australian Associated Press
