A young Tasmanian fast bowler has gone from playing club cricket in Darwin to making his first-class debut for Australia A in the space of a week.
20-year-old Louis Smith was plucked from the shadows to join the national A squad for their four-day match against Sri Lanka A after Jack Nisbett was ruled out with a leg strain.
Smith, who has been playing winter club cricket in Darwin to make up for time lost to a knee injury last summer, finished with figures of 1-31 from eight overs on his first day of top-flight cricket.
“There’s not that many state players up to speed this time of year, he’s impressed them and he’s got a fantastic opportunity,” said Cricket Tasmania’s Head of Male Pathway Andrew Gale.
“He’s very dedicated and motivated to become a professional cricketer. He’s got some talent and we’d class him as a bowler who can certainly bat.”
The tall right-arm quick received his Australia A cap from coach Tim Paine, who he plays alongside at the University of Tasmania Cricket Club during the summer.
Smith claimed his maiden first-class wicket when Josh Phillippe took a diving catch.
He wasn’t the only player making a first-class debut, with 21-year-old Queensland spinner Zanden Jeh also playing his first match at this level after making his List A debut in the one-day series last week.
The match continues until July 16 at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, before returning from July 20-23.
