Tasmania's heartbreak at being unable to lure Big Bash hero D'Arcy Short to settle in the state could be tempered after securing Tom Andrews.
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The talented 25-year-old South Australian has put behind a spluttering career that has yielded just 10 Sheffield Shield appearances over four seasons to provide additional depth to the Tigers' list.
The left-arm finger spinner turned down a new contract offer from SACA after much back and forth negotiating.
"Towards the end of last year, I didn't expect anything like this," Andrews said.
"But last season I worked through a few things and I am really looking forward to seeing where the next part of my career goes. I'm really excited to join Tasmania, get over there and start."
Coach Adam Griffith said Tasmania had targeted Short and Andrews as all-rounders to possibly play four quicks at home fixtures in lieu of an injury-prone James Faulkner.
Andrews, who averages 32.53 with one hundred and three fifties, has Short, who has made four fifties at 26.16, already covered for batting.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
"Over the last couple of years I have definitely tried to work on my batting because I suppose Tasmania is probably the best place for quick bowlers," Andrews said.
"But it's also similar to other grounds like the Gabba and WACA, which are fast.
"I have tried to focus on my batting as much as my bowling so if I could potentially be selected to play as an all-rounder and bat at seven. And when they need a spin bowler later in the game that's where I come in, I can also do that as well."
Andrews is still a work in progress with the ball, but a best 6-40 - a quarter of all his wickets from the 19 times to the popping crease - displays his undoubted potential.
What made the move more intriguing was trying his luck elsewhere after South Australian Adam Zampa had defected back home to New South Wales in the off season.
The Tigers' latest signing wants to "prove himself" and admitted that Griffith offered "no guarantees" towards being gifted a Tasmanian cap.
"When I heard that [Zampa moved] it made the decision a little bit harder, but I felt like it was probably a few other things that made me make the same decision to come to Tasmania."
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