Who is Nathan Smith? 5 interesting facts about uncapped New Zealand seamer picked for Sri Lanka tour 2024
The selection committee of the New Zealand men’s cricket team has named a fifteen-member squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay have been awarded their maiden national call-ups. The duo will be hoping to make an impact if they get an opportunity in the playing XI.
The fifteen-member squad will be led by Mitchell Santner for the two T20Is and three ODIs. The tour will only kick off in Dambulla with the T20 series opener on November 9.
After getting thrashed by the Lankans in the two-match Test series recently, New Zealand will be eager to salvage some of their lost pride in the white-ball leg.
Nathan Smith's consistent performances in the domestic circuit earned him a spot in the national side. He has bagged a truckload of wickets across formats and will be eager to make his presence felt at the international level.
Having received his maiden call up to the New Zealand side, let us have a look at five interesting facts about the uncapped seamer:
# 1. Early career and education
The skiddy right-arm fast bowler was born in Dunedin, New Zealand on July 15, 1998 and spent his early life playing backyard cricket, which is very common in New Zealand and Australia. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in commerce from Massey University with a major in accounting and management.
Smith’s consistent performances in the age group level won him a spot in the 2016 U-19 World Cup where he finished as New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker. There has been no looking back since then, as far as domestic cricket is concerned.
# 2. First-class debut and growth
Nathan Smith was awarded his maiden first-class cap for Otago during the 2015-16 Plunket Shield against Northern District on March 30, 2016.
Bowling 27 overs in the first innings on a relatively placid wicket at Whangarei, Smith bagged three crucial wickets of Dean Brownloe, Anton Devcich and Daryl Mitchell.
So far, he has played 53 first-class matches, bagging 144 wickets at an impressive average of 25.85.
# 3. More than a handy batter across formats
What makes Nathan Smith an integral member of any side he plays for is his all-round ability. Besides his ability to crank up good speeds and trouble batters with his pace and swing, Smith has scored some valuable runs in the New Zealand domestic circuit.
Smith has also been a value addition for Worcestershire in the English County Championship. His first-class record is an indication of what he brings to the table as a batter.
Smith has scored 1919 first-class runs so far with one century and 13 fifties. He also has impressive numbers in fifty-over matches and T20s and his addition could massively benefit New Zealand in the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka.
# 4. Nathan Smith was awarded a New Zealand central contract in September 2024
Nathan Smith was handed a New Zealand central contract in early September, which clearly indicated that he would earn a maiden call-up pretty soon. He was awarded the contract along with Josh Clarkson.
The duo replaced Devon Conway and Finn Allen, who denied the contracts in August. Smith will be hoping to repay the faith shown by the selectors and the board.
# 5 Smith was named as New Zealand Men’s Domestic Player of the Year in March
It has been an incredible last few months for Nathan Smith, which eventually earned him a spot in the New Zealand squad. In the previous season, he bagged 24 wickets across white-ball competitions for Wellington.
He also recorded his career-best white ball figures of 4/5 against his previous team Otago in the Super Smash. Meanwhile, he was also the leading wicket-taker with 33 scalps at an average of 17.98 for Wellington in the previous Plunket Shield.
Smith also bagged 27 wickets for Worcestershire in the County Championship and eight wickets in nine T20 Blast games. Given his sublime performance in the recent past, it was only a matter of time before he broke into the New Zealand squad.