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British snare Smith

10 Feb, 2010 04:00 AM
SUTHERLAND'S rising Australian cricket star Steve Smith, fresh from playing for his country in front of a 62,000 Twenty/20 crowd, has been snapped up by leading English club Worcestershire.

Smith also confirmed on Monday he would be playing in the rich IPL Twenty/20 series as calls continued for his inclusion in the Australian 50-overs-a-side series.

The 20-year-old, one of the Sutherland Shire's most exciting junior cricketers, will travel to Worcestershire with fellow state batsman Phil Jaques, who starred with an unbeaten 171 (20 fours and two sixes from 143 balls) in NSW's one-day victory over Queensland last Thursday night.

"Worster is a great club and I'll be getting a few tips from Phil,'' said Smith yesterday, still excited after playing in front of the biggest crowd for an Twenty/20 game in Australia.

Smith grabbed two late wickets against Pakistan to help Australia complete the series rout.

"It was amazing to make my debut on the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of 60,000 because at times you just could not hear [team-mates],'' Smith said.

"It was very exciting, the game and the finish.''

Smith made his state debut two years ago and he was the leading wicket taker at the 2008 KFC 20/20 competition, despite only playing four out of the five games.

Smith was part of the NSW team that won the 2009 Twenty20 Champions League and since then, the big hitter has been among the state's leading run scorers.

Although good judges believe Smith would shine in the longer 50-over series against the West Indies, if selected, Smith said he was trying not to "get too far ahead of myself."

"Hopefully, I will get my chance, because the longer version gives a bowler a better chance to get his rhythm,'' said Smith, who was on standby for the Test side during the holiday period.

Not long out of school [Menai High], Smith has received dozens of text messages of support since graduating from grade to state cricket and now his Australian debut.

"I had not seen a lot of my mates simply because it has been so hectic but we managed to catch up on Saturday night,'' he said.

Smith and his Sutherland team-mates only got 15 overs in before their one-day game against Manly was called off by the umpires because of the wet conditions at Glenn McGrath Oval on Sunday. Sydney's big wet also washed out day two of the Saturday grade cricket.

Sutherland remain on top in the first grade and limited overs competitions and hold a slender lead over St George whom they host this weekend in the overall club championship.

Sutherland and St George play a semi-final of the first grade limited overs competition at Glenn McGrath Oval this Sunday. Meantime, the round 13 matches (February 13 and 20) between Sutherland and St George will decide who wins the Norm O'Neill Cup in first grade and could decide who comes out on top in the club championship. Sutherland hold a 23-point lead and both clubs have teams in top four positions in four of the five grades.

Limited overs: Sutherland drew with Manly 3-51 (Joel Tuccia 1-16, Nathan Fitzgerald 1-11, A Fleming 1-16).

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Fun and games: Sutherland's Australian Twenty/20 rep Steve Smith enjoys a laugh before rain interrupted the Sutherland-Manly game at Glenn McGrath Oval on Sunday. Picture: Jane Dyson
Fun and games: Sutherland's Australian Twenty/20 rep Steve Smith enjoys a laugh before rain interrupted the Sutherland-Manly game at Glenn McGrath Oval on Sunday. Picture: Jane Dyson

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