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Will reflects on whirlwind few days

 

Almost six years after exploding onto the T20 scene as an 18-year-old Will Smeed made his championship debut for Somerset in their impressive 10 wicket victory over Essex, after being called into the side as an injury replacement for Tom Kohler-Cadmore who damaged his hand whilst fielding on the opening day.

The trouble was that Will was at the opposite end of the country playing for Somerset Second XI in their three day game against Cardiff UCCE at Abergavenny when he got the call on Friday afternoon

Will said: “Before the Seconds match I said that I wanted to try and spend some more time in the middle playing red ball cricket, which is what I got to do!”

On the first day he opened the innings and scored 148 off 189 balls after spending 66 overs and more than four and a half hours at the crease. The second day Will fielded for 46 overs and then batted for a further 49 to end up not out 138 at close.

Day three saw Will take his score onto 209 not out which came off 211 balls in a total stay of 65 overs at the crease when Somerset declared, shortly before lunch.

“When we declared Tweds ( second XI coach Paul Tweddle) told me to pack my stuff as I might be needed to go to Chelmsford to replace TKC. Then about an hour later we had an update and I was told to get into my car and start heading that way.”

“It was a pretty long drive and I didn’t stop because I needed to make sure that I got there as soon as possible. I was a bit nervous when we were 16 for three because I wouldn’t have made it on time but luckily a few of the boys batted really well and I wasn’t required until the following day.

I arrived there about 6pm, the roads were pretty busy and the M25 was like a traffic jam as always.”

“I was super excited because a big goal of mine at the start of the season was to try and get into the first team in red ball cricket and that’s come about through unfortunate circumstances. Now  my job is to try and score runs and make selection very difficult for the coaches when everyone is fit again.”

How did it feel to at last be batting in a championship match?

“I was really enjoying being out in the middle facing the Essex attack which is renowned for being good and they certainly presented me with a proper challenge. I must admit that I was a little bit nervy and edgy when I walked out to bat because I really wanted to do well, which is where the nerves came from, but Craig was in and batting really nicely and was really helpful and talked me through it.

“It was a pretty cool experience to win like we did, I think that’s the first time for a while that we have won a four day match at Chelmsford and fortunately for me its happened in my first game.

“However I’m well aware that four day cricket can be very very tough. Whilst it’s just another game of cricket the skill levels are higher than anything else and it felt like I batted for hours without facing a single bad ball. It’s a proper test of your technique and your patience, so Im really looking forward to the next time.

“I think that will be the busiest few days of cricket that I will ever play, but I loved it and there was a great result at the end of it.”

Will added: “We are only two games into the season but if it can continue like this for me then it will be great. Hopefully I will get another chance to go an score some runs  in the game against Hampshire.”