As with every squad announcement, there has been much debate, and one of the Proteas players that raised eyebrows was Jason Smith ahead of the T20 World Cup starting next month in India and Sri Lanka.
As Tristan Stubbs, who has been struggling for form recently, missed out, Smith was chosen in his place. It could prove to be an inspired decision, as Shukri Conrad has already become known for his bold selection calls that have generally paid off.
The 31-year-old Smith is six years older than Stubbs, but is still inexperienced at international level with just three One-Day Internationals and two T20Is.
Smith began the SA20 with an explosive knock of 41 from 14 for MI Cape Town on Boxing Day, but it’s been slim pickings since then: three single-figure scores and a brief innings of 22 off seven on Tuesday.
Smith’s Recent CSA T20 Performance Offers Proteas Cover Amid De Zorzi’s Uncertainty
Despite the lean run of Stubbs, though, he has good experience in India, having become a key player for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL. In the IPL alone, Stubbs averages 41 at a strike rate of 163.
Meanwhile, Smith averages just under 29 across the 98 T20s he has played at franchise level. Even in the SA20, he has struggled to make his mark, with 73 runs in total from seven innings.
More recently, though, Smith shone in the CSA T20 Challenge season as he managed an impressive strike rate of 196.
The best knock was his 68 off 19 balls for the Dolphins to book their spot in the knockout stage of the competition.
While players like Lhuan-dre Pretorius missed out and Tony de Zorzi, who is returning from injury, being included, it means Smith could provide cover for the Proteas.
That’s especially if De Zorzi doesn’t play, and that would only likely be if he’s unfit.
It’s certainly a gamble with Smith’s inclusion, but let’s reserve judgement until after the T20 World Cup.
@Michael_Sherman
Sport
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