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Nathan McAndrew grew up playing on the fields named after Shane Lee in the Illawarra, but now the Sydney Thunder allrounder has impressed his childhood idol.

Nathan McAndrew has never met Shane Lee properly but former Australia allrounder Lee is enjoying watching him follow in his footsteps.

An Oak Flats junior from the NSW's Illawarra region just like Lee, McAndrew is in the midst of a breakthrough season in the Big Bash for the high-flying Sydney Thunder.

And while his chance for a full season has come at age 27, he has caught Lee's eye.

A similar style of bowler built on consistency and variations, McAndrew has taken the most wickets among the Thunder quicks with 12 at 23.91 this season.

He's also hard-hitting in the same style as Lee, with the highest strike-rate in this summer's BBL.

While Lee was one of the few to strike at above 95 in his 45 ODIs during his era, McAndrew has gone at the rapid rate of of 225 this season.

"He's a really good talent, I saw (against Melbourne Renegades) where he hit three sixes and took the first wicket," Lee said.

"I think from a batting perspective he's a really clean hitter; very balanced when he hits the ball - but what really takes my eye is his bowling.

"He's got a really high action, he seems to generate really good pace, he has good control and with his action he bowls straight clean lines.

"He has good variations, a good bouncer and a good slower ball. There's a lot to like there, definitely."

McAndrew is hopeful his season can springboard him into Sheffield Shield cricket for NSW, or at the least more 50-over cricket when it returns.

But while the Thunder are flying high and second on the ladder, he hasn't forgotten his past.

McAndrew grew up playing at the Shane and Brett Lee Ovals in Oak Flats, and represented the Illawarra region until age 19.

However the closest he has come to meeting Lee was at the club's 30-year dinner as a 12-year-old.

"I can remember it but I definitely wasn't old enough to shake his hand over chat," McAndrew said.

"He's someone that I obviously admired growing up, coming from the same club.

"He's someone I think had a similar game to me as well. Being a hard-hitting allrounder towards the back end of the innings.

"So it's very flattering for him to say those things about me.

"I'm looking forward to hopefully catching up with him at some point back down the coast."