Former Western Province allrounder Jason Smith is relishing the central role he has been given at the Dolphins.
Smith was the big winner at the Dolphins end of season awards last term and he has started the One Day Cup well this time around.
At Western Province, Smith appeared in danger of being deprived of further opportunities with several young allrounders now on their books.
His move to the Dolphins during the 2021/22 season gave him exactly what he needed at this stage of his career, a chance to play more cricket.
Smith might just be what the Proteas are desperately searching for a top-order quality batting allrounder who bowls seam.
He finished as the Dolphins’ highest run scorer in First Class cricket this season, ending the competition with an average of nearly 56.
Smith played a number of crucial knocks in the competition, but his 136 against North West helped set up a dominant win that was crucial in seeing the Dolphins to a second competition title in three seasons.
His brilliance was not limited to red-ball cricket as Smith also produced some fine performances with the bat in the One Day Cup, which saw him finish as the Dolphins’ second-highest run-scorer.
Smith missed out on winning the Dolphins’ awards for 4-day and 1-day player of the season but was crowned the overall player of the campaign and the player’s player of the season, which speaks to him winning over the dressing room.
It might be something of a bolt out of the blue and an overwhelming occasion , but Smith could be a good player to turn to if South Africa are struck by more injury woes ahead of or during the Cricket World Cup.
Selectors are often blind to domestic performances in the One Day format, with the franchise T20 environment drawing more eyes and red ball cricket having its own significance.
Smith has been the clear standout in the One Day Cup over the last two seasons now and isn’t even being talked about as a possible solution to the Proteas allrounder problem.
