Kim Garth privately conceded she'd never play international cricket again when she left Ireland four years ago.
But after an unlikely Australian call-up, Garth has the potential to become the first cricketer in history to go from playing against Australia to wearing the green and gold this month during the T20 tour of India.
An Irish international with 85 games under her belt, the bowling allrounder made the call to move to Australia in 2019 to pursue the chance of becoming a professional cricketer.
"That was a big factor and difficult decision. I knew what I was giving up," Garth said.
"It obviously wasn't an easy decision at all.
"Having played a few years here in grade cricket and seeing girls being able to play every day and not having to work other jobs. It was something I wanted to do.
"It was a now-or-never decision, because I was 23 when I became a local and I couldn't do it much later."
Part of Garth's decision to move to Australia also included the goal of attaining permanent residency, making her push to continue playing in the WBBL easier.
As a permanent resident Garth would no longer count as an overseas player in a team's roster, with such spots only limited to three per club.
In turn, that made her eligible for Australian selection under ICC rules once she served three years out of the international game.
Officials had long monitored her process, keeping in mind she could soon become an option for Australia.
The seamer took 15 wickets at 18.73 in last summer's WBBL, leaving her as an option as Australia consider their new-ball stocks ahead of February's Twenty20 World Cup.
But for Garth, she had no expectation that she would be able to return to international cricket after serving her three seasons out.
"It wasn't really on the cards," Garth said.
"I just wanted get permanent residency and become a local for the Big Bash. That was the goal when I first came over and anything after that was a bonus.
"It was just a really nice surprise. I feel like I have put in some good performances on domestic cricket in recent years.
"(My cricket)'s evolved.
"Part of making that move to Austraia was to be in a full-time set up. Increase training and be around the best players in the world consistently, it has come along."
