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WILL SMEED: SOMERSET CCC STAR TALKS GROUNDBREAKING WHITE-BALL DEAL AND AIMS FOR NEW SEASON

With the new Cricket season well underway, Kukri Sports recently sat down with Somerset County Cricket Club star Will Smeed in an exclusive interview as part of our campaign on supporting men in sport.

The 21-year-old, who has been dubbed as an exciting young cricketer, made his Twenty20 debut for Somerset in the 2020 T20 Blast and made history a few years later by becoming the first player to score a century in the Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix.

Smeed, who made his List A debut in July 2022 for the England Lions against South Africa, insists that he’s still keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite an impressive introduction onto the cricket scene.

“The last few years have been pretty cool,” Smeed gleamed. “I’ve been very fortunate to have been given a lot of opportunities, and luckily things are going my way at the moment.”

“I’ve always been pretty level headed though, so to be honest I’m just cracking on and trying to play cricket and not think about the distractions that come with it.”

The right-handed batter decided to step away from red-ball cricket last year to focus on white-ball cricket, and, despite some controversy around the decision, feels like it’s the best avenue to go down in order to enhance his game.

“I just felt like it would give me the best chance to reach the highest level I could in white-ball cricket.

“I felt like trying to do both at the same time was taking away from both aspects, so i think by just focusing on this for now I’m excited to see where this can hopefully take my white-ball game.”

A product of King’s College Taunton, Smeed (who are also one of Kukri’s partners), who helped Somerset CCC to a sensational win against reigning champions Hampshire Hawks in the Vitality Blast this week, insists he’s raring to go again and feels better than ever.

“I’m really enjoying being back in and around the group after a busy winter. I think if we can win the Vitality Blast then hopefully I’ve played my part.

“The main goal for me has always been to try and focus on the team and help them win matches, and hopefully I can do that again this competition and then we can go one better than last season.”

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