Erin Osborne is getting used to being tested outside her comfort zone.
She went from international cricket to struggling to find a Women's Big Bash League contract in the space of 12 months.
The 28-year-old soon signed with the Melbourne Stars and while the colours weren't a huge change, Osborne had to quickly grow accustomed to a new group looking to fill the void left by one of the world's best in Meg Lanning.
Now the off-spinning all-rounder is primed to play a huge role in their WBBL season opener against the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
Close losses have repeatedly denied the Stars a finals berth, but Osborne says it's time things changed.
As crazy as it sounds, losing Lanning to the Perth Scorchers could be the perfect tonic to spark a turnaround.
"With Meg out of the equation now I think girls are going to have to take extra responsibility which I think is a positive for this group," Osborne said.
"Sometimes when you have one of the world's best players in your team you kind of hide a little bit and don't really perform your role to the best of your ability.
"The individuals in the group will definitely take on that role a little bit more and make sure that when we have those tight situations, they're the ones that are putting their hands up to get the job done.
"I'll definitely hope to be one of those players. I'll hope to be batting in the middle order somewhere and my job will be to get the team home if needed."
Osborne is one of 12 Meteors swapping blue and gold for the bright lights of the WBBL with the former Australian representative joining ACT teammate Katie Mack at the Stars.
Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Erin Burns, Angela Reakes and Emily Lays will all play a huge role in the Sixers' title defence.
Nicola Hancock is playing for the Hobart Hurricanes, while young gun Maitlan Brown joins former Meteors skipper Kris Britt, Claire Koski and Hayley Jensen at the Melbourne Renegades.
Osborne left the Thunder this year and already has her eye on knocking over ACT teammate Sam Bates when she faces her former club.
"I think eight is the magical number of wins that we need to make the finals. That's our goal as a team and if the Sydney Thunder are a part of those eight wins then I'll definitely take that," Osborne said.
