It was not a popular decision at the time but James Faulkner believes his decision to sign with the Melbourne Stars was the "best move of my career".
Faulkner is now one of the first picked in Australia's limited-overs teams, but five years ago the uncapped 21-year-old Tasmanian allrounder bravely picked up his bags and left for Melbourne to pursue higher honours.
The move paid immediate dividends; Faulkner finished the first KFC Big Bash League season as the Stars' leading wicket-taker.
Eleven days later he made his debut for Australia in a T20 international against India in Sydney.
"Without doubt, it definitely fast-tracked my skills and then the rest took care of itself when it came to selection," Faulkner told cricket.com.au in Chandigarh.
"Everyone wants to play for Australia. For me, looking back at it now it's definitely the best move of my career.
"I've still got a fair few years there left as well so we'll see how that plays out."
Faulkner is the youngest of the seven overseas players on the Gujarat roster, but has already played 126 T20s with eight teams, stretching from Australia to England and the subcontinent.
It's that reason why Faulkner has taken on extra leadership responsibilities under Lions head coach Brad Hodge this season.
"Anyone that plays international cricket you've got to be a senior player in any T20 team you're playing in around the world," he said.
"Whether it's County Cricket, whether it's IPL, Caribbean Premier League – I haven't played in that – but in any of those tournaments, once you've played on the international stage you're expected to help other players in your team.
"You find the best players around the world do that. They definitely get everyone involved in the team because you are there for one focus – that's to win."
With extra responsibility comes extra pressure, but Faulkner knows how to handle the expectation of an international cricketer.
"When you initially start playing, you do (feel extra pressure)," he said.
"But now that's just life, that's my role. You have enough press around the world whether you're playing well or not playing well.
"At the end of the day you just control what you do with the bat and ball."
source: http://www.bigbash.com.au/news/james-faulkner-big-bash-league-melbourne-stars-t20-launch-career-gujarat-lions/2016-04-12
Faulkner is now one of the first picked in Australia's limited-overs teams, but five years ago the uncapped 21-year-old Tasmanian allrounder bravely picked up his bags and left for Melbourne to pursue higher honours.
The move paid immediate dividends; Faulkner finished the first KFC Big Bash League season as the Stars' leading wicket-taker.
Eleven days later he made his debut for Australia in a T20 international against India in Sydney.
"Without doubt, it definitely fast-tracked my skills and then the rest took care of itself when it came to selection," Faulkner told cricket.com.au in Chandigarh.
"Everyone wants to play for Australia. For me, looking back at it now it's definitely the best move of my career.
"I've still got a fair few years there left as well so we'll see how that plays out."
Faulkner is the youngest of the seven overseas players on the Gujarat roster, but has already played 126 T20s with eight teams, stretching from Australia to England and the subcontinent.
It's that reason why Faulkner has taken on extra leadership responsibilities under Lions head coach Brad Hodge this season.
"Anyone that plays international cricket you've got to be a senior player in any T20 team you're playing in around the world," he said.
"Whether it's County Cricket, whether it's IPL, Caribbean Premier League – I haven't played in that – but in any of those tournaments, once you've played on the international stage you're expected to help other players in your team.
"You find the best players around the world do that. They definitely get everyone involved in the team because you are there for one focus – that's to win."
With extra responsibility comes extra pressure, but Faulkner knows how to handle the expectation of an international cricketer.
"When you initially start playing, you do (feel extra pressure)," he said.
"But now that's just life, that's my role. You have enough press around the world whether you're playing well or not playing well.
"At the end of the day you just control what you do with the bat and ball."
source: http://www.bigbash.com.au/news/james-faulkner-big-bash-league-melbourne-stars-t20-launch-career-gujarat-lions/2016-04-12
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