[quoteTom Smith is heading to Africa in a bid to stake his claim for a place in the England side.
As well as playing a key role in Lancashire’s first outright LV= County Championship title in 77 years, the all-rounder had another impressive season in Twenty20 cricket.
With the world-beating Test side fairly settled, Smith’s best chance of taking the step up into international cricket is probably in England’s one-day or T20 side.
So Smith, who played for England Under-19s, is jetting off to Zimbabwe next month to play for the Matabeleland Tuskers in their domestic Twenty20 competition.
He will play alongside Red Rose team-mate Paul Horton who, having played for the Tuskers as their overseas player last season, has already returned there to play first-class cricket.
"I still have aspirations to play for England, and if I keep performing hopefully it will come true," said 26-year-old Smith.
"Paul Horton asked me if I fancied going out to play Twenty20. It is a form of the game I really enjoy so I jumped at the chance. It will be great to get a bit of sun in the winter.
"It will also help my game. I will be an overseas player there so there will be more pressure on me to deliver the goods. It is something I will relish.
"I know a few people who have gone to Zimbabwe from other counties and they have said it was such a great experience. It is a part of the world you wouldn’t normally see."
Smith is still coming to terms with being part of the Lancashire side to finally win the County Championship.
"It still hasn’t really sunk in that we have won the Championship," he said. "Some of the messages we have received have come from far and wide. You don’t realise the impression you have on people and how far the club’s support stretches.
"It is one of my dreams come true. So many great names have tried before and not done it with Lancashire, it is a good feeling.
"I have played at the club all my career and while watching them as I was growing up, I just wanted to get out there and do well for Lancashire.
"I can’t quite believe it was me out there helping them win the title.
"We are just a group of mates out there playing cricket. We play hard and play for each other. The team environment is second to none."
][/quote]
http://menmedia.co.uk/trafford/sport/cr ... nd-claims-
Discussion
Tom Smith Signings for the Tuskers
Discussion
So Gayle and Tom Smith?
Probably not. Anyway I have seen Tom Smith bat and he is really really good, better than the other English players in Zimbabwe may be even better than Ballance.
Phenomenal signing by the Tuskers.
Probably not. Anyway I have seen Tom Smith bat and he is really really good, better than the other English players in Zimbabwe may be even better than Ballance.
Phenomenal signing by the Tuskers.
Member actions
ShareVeteran
sscricket wrote:So Gayle and Tom Smith?
Probably not. Anyway I have seen Tom Smith bat and he is really really good, better than the other English players in Zimbabwe may be even better than Ballance.
Phenomenal signing by the Tuskers.
And my belief is that this quality will obviously raise the standard of the game in Zim . The County system in England also has its fair share of foreigners . Bring these pros on , we will improve when we play with them .......
Member actions
ShareLegend
Flower power wrote:
sscricket wrote:So Gayle and Tom Smith?
Probably not. Anyway I have seen Tom Smith bat and he is really really good, better than the other English players in Zimbabwe may be even better than Ballance.
Phenomenal signing by the Tuskers.
And my belief is that this quality will obviously raise the standard of the game in Zim . The County system in England also has its fair share of foreigners . Bring these pros on , we will improve when we play with them .......
Agreed. Although I think that benefit is limited if it merely for the T20.
Member actions
ShareZCF OriginalZCF Hall of Famer
Another Tuskers signing, any chance of some crumbs at Rocks?
The Third Innings
Member actions
Share