FOR the past three seasons Lisa Griffith has proudly worn Thunder lime green in the Women's Big Bash League's Sydney Smash, but come this Sunday she'll be in the magenta camp of the Sixers.
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The talented Bathurst all-rounder made the decision to switch from the Sydney Thunder to the Sydney Sixers this season to help develop her game.
When you consider she has joined a bowling attack which includes South African representatives Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk, Australian stars Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner then the likes of Sarah Aley, Erin Burns and young guns Stella Campbell and Hayley Silver-Holmes, it's clear why Griffith made the switch.
"That was the allure of coming across, just to be amongst that experience. The team-mates that I look across to my left and right and see who is there, it's how lucky and grateful am I to be amongst such just amazing pioneers of the game and people I have looked up to for the better part of my career," Griffith said.
"Just the opportunity to play alongside them and learn from them, but also the opportunity to work with Benny Sawyer our coach.
"Even just this season I've made some small improvements with the ball and I felt it was something I had to do for my game.
"It's nothing against the Thunder, I had a fantastic time there and lots of opportunity and really appreciate what Thunder are all about. It was just a move I made for myself really."
Before Griffith was revealed as a new Sydney Sixers signing, there was a time she thought the Twenty20 tournament would not go ahead due to COVID-19.
But go ahead it will - albeit it in a different format. All games will be played in Sydney to combat border restrictions and all teams are staying together in a 'bubble' at Sydney Olympic Park.
"You'd be silly for that not to cross your mind I think, through the middle of COVID I thought we might not have this season, I think it crossed everyone's mind, and we were interested to see what it was all going to look like and whether we'd be able to play.
"We are super lucky to be here.
"The logistics team have worked very hard to get it all up and running, I know it's early doors, but there's been no problems as of yet. I think the amount of time and what's been put into getting the tournament up, everyone from Cricket Australia and even people from Cricket NSW, it's been fantastic."
While Griffith, who has been recovering from a minor injury complaint, is not sure of exactly what the starting 11 for Sunday's Sydney Smash season opener at North Sydney Oval will be, she still can't wait to begin another campaign.
She knows her role with the ball will likely be different to the one she had with Thunder, but she's keen to embrace that.
"I'm excited, I'm probably a bit nervous too, but they're good nerves," she said.
"The cross-rivals to start with, that will be an interesting game but I think it's always nice to have that one up first and showcase a really good product.
"We've got some really good new ball bowlers at the Sixers so I don't see my role being there at all, I think I'll perhaps be more a middle to death bowler if I get the opportunity. I'll be looking to play a little bit of a reverse role there from what I did at the Thunder.
"That's fine as I think as I progress through my career I think that's a little bit more suited to I guess the role I want to play.
"I've felt like in previous years I've been thrown in the deep end and that's fine, that's how you learn, but I'm just going to take a step back here, soak it all in and work alongside some pretty bloody good players."
