TRINITY SMITH was in ‘complete shock’ after learning of her nomination for ICC Women’s Player of the Month.
The 17-year-old took up the sport three years ago and only made her senior Island debut last month in an ICC T20 tournament in France. However, her performances at that event have led to a global shortlisting.
Smith’s international debut came against France, where she took a wicket, but it was in the subsequent matches where she really made her mark. Against Spain, she picked up another two wickets and was devastating with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 59 runs off just 43 balls. Then, in the final game of the series, again versus France, she proved her consistency scoring an unbeaten 56 off 40 balls.
Jersey won the quadrangular series and Smith has now been named alongside two Pakistan international players as contenders for the monthly award, in Tuba Hassan and Bismah Maroof, who both impressed in their nation’s recent T20 series against Sri Lanka.
‘I saw the news yesterday morning and I was like, ‘’what is going on?”’ said Smith.
It is the first time any player from Jersey, male or female, has been nominated for the award and Jersey Cricket’s women’s head coach, Lee Meloy, says the all-rounder has huge potential – tipping her to make a big impact in the sport.
‘She’s certainly started [her career] with a bang,’ said Meloy.
‘We’re delighted for her and it is great for Jersey Cricket to be recognised on the international stage.
‘Trinity has really grown as a person and as a cricketer and this is just the beginning. She’s still very new to the game and we want her to get more experience by playing lots more cricket and she’s keen to do that.
‘Over time, she has developed in taking cricket a lot more seriously and she’s got all the tools she needs in terms of natural ability, dedication, focus and hard work. She’s got a good mix there that will only stand her in good stead going forward.
‘Once she starts adding more experience to her game, she’s only going to keep flourishing.’
Smith admits she ‘will take things as they come’ and is, for now, focused on enjoying the sport.
‘The schedule we have for the summer is looking promising so hopefully we will finish the season well,’ added Smith.
‘The team we have and the support we are given really shows all the hard work as a team we have put in place.’
Shortlists for the ICC’s monthly awards are compiled with the help of the governing body’s statistician..
The nominees and accompanying commentary are then forwarded to the Voting Academy, which has a 90% share of the vote. The remaining 10% is made up of public votes, by fans registered with the ICC.
