High school student Amy Smith won’t be overawed by training alongside international stars

Tasmanian teenage prodigy Amy Smith already possesses a self confidence that looks set to take her far after becoming the second youngest Tasmanian to receive a state contract.

15-year-old Amy Smith has been handed a Tigers contract for the upcoming season. Last year she became the state's youngest ever debutant. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

RUBBING shoulders with the likes of World Cup winning all-rounder Nicola Carey and recently retired New Zealand veteran Rachel Priest might be daunting to some cricketers, regardless of age.

But 15-year-old Amy Smith will not be overawed by training with a host of international calibre talent as she strives to become a permanent part of Tasmania’s WNCL outfit.

The grade 10 Ogilvie High student — who last February became the youngest debutant in the history of Tasmanian cricket at 14 — last week joined the Tigers squad as a contracted player.

Only teammate Meg Phillips was younger when she was offered her first contract in 2011, while current Test skipper Tim Paine, the youngest male to be contracted, was 16 when he joined the rookie list.

Amy Smith is eager to get stuck into training with the Tigers. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

It highlights just how eager female coach Salliann Briggs is to get Smith into the program, and the teenager oozes a humble confidence which belies her age.

“I am a little bit nervous because of how high they are in cricket … but I don’t think too much about it, I am more excited and glad I am in the same area as international players,” Smith said.

“Pretty much I just want to learn from them, a lot of them have very good experience with cricket, some international and some through state cricket.

“I just back myself and back Sal’s ideas and the ways she wants to improve Tassie’s future cricket and where she wants to take it.

“I have always wanted to get to this stage, but I didn’t think I was going to get a call or anything this year.”

Smith didn’t look out of place when she played her first two WNCL games two seasons ago, taking a wicket in each match and being the side’s most economical bowler.

And even as a young spinner she relishes the challenge of having the opposition try to take her down.

“I don’t get too overwhelmed if they do come at me, I guess that’s an opportunity to get wickets from them attacking me, because they can make mistakes.”