Sydney, Feb 2: New South Wales all-rounder Steve Smith is set to make his international debut in Friday’s Twenty20 match against Pakistan.
Smith, along with Travis Birt and Dirk Nannes, are the new names in the Australian T20 squad.
“I think there’s a big part in Twenty20 cricket for spin bowling. They [batsmen] are going pretty hard at it all the time, they’ve got to make their own pace with the ball, so if you get it up there and get it to turn a little bit it’s pretty hard to hit, so it’s a chance to take wickets all the time,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.
Smith said his experience in India late last year with the Blues in the Champions League and then in the ACA All-Stars match at the start of the summer increased his desire to play for his country, without delay.
“I hoped to be part of this side actually. I played in that All-Star game a couple of months ago, and it was pretty exciting to be around the side. I’m not too sure what the team is but to be a part of it and see how things go is pretty exciting,” he said.
In the Big Bash, Smith claimed seven wickets at 10.28, the third-best average in the competition.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch lauded Smith for his performances for NSW in the Champions League Twenty20 and Big Bash.
"(He) gives us great flexibility with his ability to bowl leg spin, bat and field," Hilditch said.
© ANI
