Brad Smith takes on new City

Smith is one of the best bats to come out of the New England in recent years and despite already playing a season of County Cricket in England wants to take his game to the next level again as the Tamworth District season kicks-off this weekend.

“I am 28 and not getting any younger,” Smith said.

“I really want to push myself a bit while i still can and get back to being a bit more professional.” 

The new skipper had the opportunity to take up a role at Old Boys after mentioning his ambition to Adam Lole and Ben Middlebrook last year, although with Old Boys having a long batting list and Central North openers Lole and Simon Norvill on the books the challenge to take up the captaincy and boost the battling City back up the ladder was too good to turn down.

“City already had some great young talent coming through and have recruited some more,” Smith said.

“Players like Lachlan Cooke and Tom Fitzgerald, while we also have two handy players from Ireland and England coming over.”

“There are no expectations on us so if we can win a few early games we could be right in it.” 

The Newling Primary School teacher will remain living in Armidale, and ideally would like to play War Veterans Cup for the New Englanders, although would also like to fight for a place in Tamworth’s Country Cup side as well as Central North.

“I would love to have a crack at the rep while I am still able to,” Smith said.

“Although I will need to work hard and score some early runs to push for selection.” 

The skipper and his new side have been hitting the nets in recent weeks whenever they get the chance, as well as team training runs on Tuesday nights and for the start of the season plan on keeping it simple and playing to their strengths.

“With no expectations anything we can achieve early is great. I am just going to set small targets for the team and just start building into the season from there.” City will kick-off with a one dayer against North Tamworth at Riverside 2 on Saturday.