Poidevin-Gray Shield: NSW Premier Cricket Round 3, Ryley Smith

A teenage sporting freak who dominates both footy and cricket took charge for Penrith in the Poidevin-Gray Shield, blasting a matchwinning half century. Now, he will fight for a u19 World Cup spot.

Hailing from western Sydney 18-year-old Riley Smith is the quintessential high school alpha, excelling at a national level in both rugby league and cricket.

A powerful top-order batsman can demolish bowling attacks with no better example than a matchwinning half century which he blasted the ball to all corners of Penrith’s Howell Oval in a shortened Poidevin-Gray Shield match.

The fact that the Penrith Cricket Club product will jet to Adelaide in coming days to battle for a place in the Australian under-19 World Cup squad appeared to be the furthest thing from his mind as he took charge from the popping crease.

Ryley Smith in action for Penrith. Picture: Jeremy Ng

The national selection camp is arguably a welcome reprieve for Smith who is now undertaking a gruelling pre-season program with the Penrith Panthers Jersey Flegg (under 21) squad after being selected in the Australian Schoolboys rugby league merit team in August.

On top of his sporting commitments, the teenager has been balancing his HSC studies and work at his local greengrocer.

Smith said the chance to represent Australia at the junior World Cup would be a dream come true and would play a role in his inevitable decision between the summer and winter sports.

“I’ve been playing both sports for a while and I’ve loved every single minute of it,” he said. “I’d do it my whole life if I could.

“(Picking a sport) is something I’ve had to think about over lockdown … Now with the World Cup, I wasn’t aware it was going ahead until I was told (of my selection) because originally it had been called off so I guess we are going to have to see how I go in Adelaide and then take it from there.

“When the time comes, which it will, I will have to make that decision.”

Smith is torn on where his sporting future is. Picture: Toby Zerna

On Sunday, Smith was damaging against a Hawkesbury bowling attack in a shortened nine-over Poidevin Gray Shield match in which he blasted a matchwinning half century. Later that afternoon the teenager returned to the crease where, in his own words, he “batted ugly” as he watched his opening partner and best mate Tryan Liddiard bludgeon an unbeaten 104 runs off 66 balls in the Kingsgrove T20 Cup

Smith said he was optimistic of Penrith’s hopes for the current NSW Premier Cricket season.

“We’re not expected to win,” he said. “(But) I have no doubt we can beat anyone in the competition easily. We are just starting to get into form now … it’s sort of all coming together.”

The Adelaide training camp will feature a series of practice 50-over matches on December 6, 7 and 9 with the under-19s World Cup, to be held in the West Indies, taking place next month.

POIDEVIN-GRAY SHIELD ROUND 3 WRAP

Rain couldn’t dampen the under-21 Poidevin-Gray Shield with the state’s best young cricketers showcasing their talents across Sydney on Sunday.

Check out all the latest from Round 3:

COOL PERERA GUIDES BULLDOGS HOME

The defending premiers Parramatta have suffered a last-over defeat in the Poidevin-Gray Shield, with Bankstown’s Johann Perera guiding the home team to a crucial victory.

The middle-order batsman came to the crease with the Bulldogs 37 runs behind with a required run-rate of almost a run a ball, following the dismissal of Ethan Debono who scored a tidy 51 runs.

Perera kept his cool despite Bankstown losing three wickets in the final two overs to ultimately score the winning runs with a boundary off the second last ball of the innings.

Bankstown quick Brad Simpson. Picture: Jeremy Ng

Parramatta’s total of 117 proved to be not enough. Picture: Jeremy Ng

RYLEY SMITH MAYHEM

Penrith’s Ryley Smith, fresh off being named in the Australian under-19 extended World Cup squad, unleashed havoc with a blockbuster display of power hitting at Howell Oval.

The powerfully-built opening batsman had little trouble clearing the ropes in the rain-shortened match and scored a half century in the team’s 96 run total off the allocated nine overs.

Smith’s batting effectively ended the match with the Hawkesbury never in the contest, reaching 55 for the loss of three wickets.

The Hawks, who came eighth in the Thunder conference last season, remain winless with Penrith now two from two.

SYDNEY UNI OFF THE MARK

Sydney University has secured their first win this summer in the Poidevin-Gray Shield with a valuable win over Western Suburbs.

Clancy Barrett with the bat in hand. Picture: Jeremy Ng

University captain Sanjay Anandarajah hit the winning runs. Picture: Jeremy Ng

The home team had five players reach double figures with none able to truly kick on, reaching 93 runs across their 20 overs.

Uni’s opening bowler and new recruit Caelan Malady proved to be a handful, collecting two late wickets of Lovish Sethi and Antony Eussen with his four overs only costing 12 runs.

Despite the loss of early wickets, Sydney University were never flustered in the chase with Sanjay Anandarajah and Raveen Ganesh steering the team home with an over to spare.

Western Suburbs’ Hanno Jacobs celebrates a wicket. Picture: Jeremy Ng

Tanvir Singh in the field. Picture: Jeremy Ng

AROUND THE GROUNDS

After Fairfield-Liverpool made the Rosedale Oval wicket look tricky with 6/93 off 20 overs, Northern District opening pair Corey Miller and Aidan Cahill did the exact opposite by chasing the total down without loss in just nine overs.

In a rivalry match at Allan Border Oval, Gordon came agonisingly close to victory however the constant loss of wickets ultimately saw the team bowled out on the third last ball of the innings, seven runs behind the 169 target set by Mosman.

A perfect innings by Sutherland’s Callum Barton sealed the match for the Sharks with his 81 runs off 58 balls steering the home team to 3/141.

UTS North Sydney tried to keep up the pace but ultimately were all out for 117.

St George’s 7/119 proved to be too much of an ask for Sydney Cricket Club who finished their 20 overs at 6/104 at Drummoyne Oval.

UNSW 3/162 was too tough a challenge for Randy Petes, who ended up on 8/101 from their 20 overs with the Blacktown Mounties vs Campbelltown Camden match abandoned.