Toughest decision of my life: Sandhu

Fast bowler Gurinder Sandhu says his move from NSW to Tasmania was the "toughest decision of my life" as he looks to reignite his career under the watch of Tigers coach Adam Griffiths.

Sandhu, who debuted for the Blues in a one-dayer against Western Australia in January 2013 and went on to represent his state on more than 50 occasions, decided it was time to shake things up and start afresh.

But making the choice to uproot his life and head south to Hobart was "unbelievably tough".

"Toughest decision I've had to make so far in my life," Sandhu told cricket.com.au.  

"Sydney is where I grew up and the dream growing up was obviously to represent your country but to also represent NSW.

"It was a dream come true when that happened six years ago.

"Being there for six, seven years and you've made a lot of friends in the squad, outside in grade cricket, your family, people that you went to school with – to leave that all behind was very tough.

"But sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do."

Sandhu, along with Nic Maddinson (omitted), Ed Cowan and Doug Bollinger (both retired) was one of a handful of high-profile players to exit Moore Park last summer as the Blues employ a youth policy.

Stuck behind premier fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins at the Blues and jostling for spots with veterans like Trent Copeland and a battery of young quicks, one could assume Sandhu's move to the Apple Isle was about opportunity.

But the towering right-armer says Griffith, his former mentor from his teenage years, was one of the main reasons why he packed up his kit bag and left home.

"I'd done some work with 'Griff' previously at some Under-19 World Cup preparation and training so I wanted to link up with him again and from working with him I knew he was very good at that (bowling) department," he said.

"I felt comfortable that if I was to go here I'd improve my bowling instead of staying where I was or going backwards.

"Opportunity is one thing, but the main part was to try to change up something, do something different and try and improve.

"I didn't want to finish my career and say 'I wish I did that' or 'I should have done it this way' so I wanted to make sure I'm giving it my all and trying everything I can to get better and improve."

Image Id: 4BD8D7C4E07E423D8CF71044007F01D2 Image Caption: Coach Griffith // Getty

When asked what it's been like reconnecting with Griffith, Sandhu said: "It's been very, very good. Loving every minute of it.

"Joining back with Griff was very easy. We're on the same page as to what we're doing with my bowling.

"I came to him with some things that I thought I wanted to do but I didn't know how to do and he was on a very similar page and also showed me the 'how' and that was what I was after."

Ultimately, Sandhu's decision was made with a return to national colours in mind.

He made his international debut in January 2015 on the eve of the World Cup as cover for injured spearhead Mitchell Johnson.

Taking on powerhouses India and England, he picked up three wickets in two victories for his country, but once Johnson returned that was the end of Sandhu's international career to date.

Getting back to that level, no matter how long it takes, is what's driving him each day in his new surroundings.

"If I didn't want to do that I probably wouldn't have made the move," he said. "I would have just stayed in NSW where everything was comfortable and I knew what was happening.

"Having that little taste of playing at the top, it's certainly made me hungrier and I want to get back there.

"It could be this year, could be next year or in four years, but whenever it is that's what I'm aiming for – that's why I get out of bed every day."

Image Id: 2DF73C4C7B2042B3857673F9672BAC2A Image Caption: Teenage Sandhu at the Under-19 World Cup // Getty

The first step back to the national team is making his debut for Tasmania, which Sandhu says is not automatic.

Last year, the Tigers got off to a horror start in the JLT One-Day Cup, losing their first three matches, but they fought back to be just one bonus-point win away from making the finals.

After the one-day tournament, Tasmanian cricket enjoyed far greater success with both the JLT Sheffield Shield team and Hobart Hurricanes reaching the final of their respective competitions.

Having played only two Shield matches last year, Sandhu is hoping for more red-ball cricket this summer, but he knows he must impress in any match he plays to secure a spot in a confident squad that has captain George Bailey coming back for an 18th season.

"I want to play as much cricket as I can for Tasmania," Sandhu said.

"They had a really, really good year last year so it will be tough to crack into that (Shield) team. I'm not just going to be walking into that team.

"I'm going to have to work hard and perform in whatever cricket I play, whether it be grade cricket, 2nd XI, JLT Cup, whatever it is.

"I'm going to have to perform, show what I can do and put my name forward."