Novocastrian Jason Sangha said he still feels ready to launch into this season's Big Bash League if given the opportunity despite the disappointment of being left out of the Sydney Thunder squad for game one.
The 20-year-old, who has 13 BBL appearances next to his name, won't make the trip north to meet pre-tournament favourites the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on Tuesday night after missing the 13-man side.
The likes of former Test pair Callum Ferguson and Usman Khawaja are expected to lead the Thunder's batting attack along with English import Alex Hales.
Current state players Matthew Gilkes and Alex Ross were also included as well as all-rounders Daniel Sams and Chris Green.
"I've just got to make sure I'm ready," Sangha told the Newcastle Herald following Monday's announcement.
"It hurts and it's a bit disappointing. Like anyone that's been left out of a squad can relate to.
"That's the way cricket is sometimes and you've just got to try and peak at the right time.
"All the guys in the squad are ready to go. I believe I am as well, but I've got to keep working hard and grab that opportunity if it comes."
Sangha, who has 182 BBL runs at a strike rate of 104 featuring an unbeaten 63 on debut 12 months ago, opened the batting next to Khawaja in the Thunder's narrow trial win against the Sixers in Sydney on Saturday night.
It was a position he twice found himself in last campaign, having normally lined up at four or five in the T20 format, and admitted the "best batsman can adapt anywhere in the top six".
"It [opening] could be something I explore in the future," Sangha said.
"I had a little taste of it [at the end of] last year against the Renegades and Sixers.
"Opening up in T20 can be the ideal time because the field is up and you've got a brand new white ball."
The former Wallsend junior and Australian under-19 captain has enjoyed little time on the national cricket stage this summer after being a regular in the NSW team for Sheffield Shield during 2018-19, including a maiden century at the SCG.
His only outings for the Blues so far this season have been two One-Day Cup fixtures last month.
On three occasions he's played for the state's second XI.
"It was nice recognition [to represent NSW in the One-Day Cup]," Sangha, who first played the domestic limited overs competition for Cricket Australia XI in 2016, said.
"I hadn't played a lot of one day cricket since my underage stuff ... it was a long time waiting [three years] between those two games but I was excited to get the opportunity."
Sangha was dismissed for a duck playing T20 for the PM's XI against Sri Lanka in Canberra on October 24.
He has mainly been with Sydney club Randwick-Petersham, which continues on Sunday with NSW Premier T20 Cup semi-finals.
This season the right hander has posted tons for both Randy Petes and ACT-NSW Country.
In terms of the Thunder, Sangha said "the squad has good depth with both bat and ball" despite losing the likes of Shane Watson, Joe Root, Jos Butler and Fawad Ahmed.
The Thunder follow up with the Melbourne Renegades in Geelong on Thursday before hosting the Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on Saturday.
THUNDER: Callum Ferguson (c), Jonathan Cook, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Liam Hatcher, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Dan Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain.
