It was seen as an innovative movement, indicative of the growing division between the limited and first class cricket. While many players have assumed white ball contracts, often while they simultaneously withdraw from the red ball, none had done it at such an early age.
However, after an injury in the hamstrings ruled out from the hundred last summer, Smeed found game time to Somerset in the second XI County Championship, which caused a rethinking.
“I am desperate to play more Crick than last summer,” said Smeed. “I picked up an injury last summer and felt that I had not really played any Crick.
“Seeing how the team did things in the championship last year was great and some of the victories were absolutely crazy. It would be crazy not wanting to be part of that team.”
Smeed, who scored a hundred red for the second XI when he was only 16 years old, has almost exclusively played the T20 cricket in his career to date, with his list an appearance for the lions of England. In 2022, he became the first player to score a century in the hundred, and soon had demand in the franchise circuit, playing in the CPL, PSL and SA20.
The director of Crick of Somerset, Andy Dura, said: “We all know that Will has a lot of potential, and his return to the Crick of several days will certainly add depth to the batting options of the County Championship.
“When he initially signed a white ball contract, he always made it clear that the door was not closed to the red ball game, and I know that our members and followers will be excited about the possibility that it is now available to be considered for the selection in all the formats for the club you love.”
