Something important happened to Mitch Smith, and by extension South Tamworth, at No.1 Oval on Saturday: he scored runs.
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After skippering Souths to a long-awaited premiership last season, in his first year in charge, Smith’s legacy at Souths is assured.
But had he not been captain, he may have struggled to keep his place in the side following a lean year with the blade – 111 runs in 13 innings at an average of 8.5 and with a highest score of 22. His Twenty20 form was worse.
The wretched run is over, after he opened the innings against West Tamworth on Saturday, chasing 190 for victory, and stayed in the middle for 145 hugely valuable minute en route to a 123-ball 83 not out – as Souths passed the total in 38 overs with six wickets down.
It was an innings that included eight fours and two sixes and a 102-run, third-wicket partnership with Tom Groth (61 off 52 balls).
“Last year I was more than happy to make the calls as captain,” Smith said, “but personally, I didn’t really contribute much to the batting totals, so that’s something I can work on. Lucky, I’ve done something early this season.”
Put into bat, Wests’ best was opener Daniel Collinson, who struck a 74-ball 81, while Jis Sebastian (34), Shawn Mepham (25) and former NSW Origin enforcer Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (22) also contributed.
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Jamie Hammond (3-26 off eight overs) and Conrad George (3-55 off 6.3 overs) were Souths’ best.
Best with the ball for Wests were Eddie Davis (2-38 off 7.1 overs) and Shaun Stevenson (2-24 off four overs).