5:40pm Monday 8th March 2010
By Michael Reeves
WORCESTERSHIRE chief executive Mark Newton is hoping that Friends Provident t20 overseas signing Steve Smith will still be allowed to join the New Road club in the summer.
The 20-year-old all-rounder, who has already played for Australia in limited overs cricket this winter, has been blossoming Down Under and is waiting to discover whether he will be named in the Australia squad tomorrow for the tour to New Zealand.
The New South Wales star hit a first-class career-best of 177 last week against Tasmania and former Aussie international Ashley Mallett has been calling for his inclusion in the Test squad.
But with his fledgling career shining brightly in Aus-tralia, it may have repercussions for Worcestershire.
Cricket Australia may want the talented youngster to rest during the English Twenty20 campaign or the big-hitting leg-break bowler may be in the Baggy Greens squad that faces Pakistan in England this summer, leaving the New Road side searching for another overseas signing.
“We just have to wait and see,” Newton said.
“We don’t expect Cricket Australia to block his move and I’m sure that if Steve is not in the squad he will want to be over here playing.
“Of course, if he does get called up, then we have to start looking again, but I’m sure director of cricket Steve Rhodes already has a list.”
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