Evan Gulbis calls for Carlton star Harrison Smyth to play for Victoria

Carlton coach Evan Gulbis believes it's time for one of his stars to represent Victoria after several seasons of terrorising opposition bowlers. Here’s why.

Get him in.

Carlton coach Evan Gulbis has urged Victorian selectors to take a look at ever-reliable Victorian Premier Cricket star Harrison Smyth when the Sheffield Shield season returns next month.

Smyth’s nine-match season to date has grossed 476 runs at an average of 68.00 and in an indication of his consistency, the 28-year-old has posted just one score below 24.

After the star Blue crunched an unbeaten 110 on Saturday – his fifth score above 50 for the summer – Gulbis pressed Smyth’s case to be on the Victorian selectors’ radar.

In the past three seasons, he has scored 1503 runs at an average of 57.80.

Evan Gulbis has called for Harrison Smyth to represent Victoria. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“He doesn’t need to play futures cricket, he can skip that, he’s ready to go,” he said.

“Harry Smyth is a red-ball cricketer, he understands how to tempo an innings, he understands what to do to get through a spell, to get through a session.

“He sums up the conditions really well, he has added some six-hitting ability to his game over the years but he is generally an along-the-ground player.

“He’s a two-time premiership player, three-time T20 premiership player, he has been the premier batter at our club and we’ve been the best club over the last five-year period.

“He’s played futures before, he doesn’t need to play that again, he is 28, he is ready, get him in.

“Ask anyone in and around Premier Cricket, they would agree.”

With Nic Maddinson suffering an ACL tear during the Big Bash and Peter Handscomb expected to be touring with the Test squad in February, Gulbis is confident Smyth is a perfect fit for the Victorian middle order come the second half of the season.

“He probably is along the Peter Handscomb type, he is a classy batter that can score all around the ground,” he said.

“As I said, he (Smyth) tempos his innings so well and that’s what Pete does so well, he knows when to look to score and he needs to hold back.

“There are plenty of players that strike the ball well and have talent, but he tempos his innings well, there is a lot more to cricket than cover drives and pull shots, you have to know what to do, when and how.

“I think Harry (can play) as that number three or four – that’s where he’s batted for us and made a lot of runs – he’s ready.

“I just can’t see why he wouldn’t be looked at if there is availability in the team.”

Victoria will host Queensland when Sheffield Shield returns on February 9.