How ‘sliding doors’ moment handed unknown Tasmanian an Australia A debut

From Darwin club cricket one day, to an Australia A debut the next. That’s the wild rise Tasmanian young gun Louis Smith has enjoyed after his selection as an Australia A bolter.

Tim Paine presents Louis Smith with his Aus A cap. Picture: Cricket Australia

From playing Darwin club cricket one week, to an Australia A debut the next.

That’s the “sliding doors” moment for Tasmanian young gun Louis Smith after he was plucked from obscurity to make his first class debut in Australia A’s four-day clash with Sri Lanka in the Top End.

Australia A coach and former Test skipper Tim Paine plays alongside the 20-year-old paceman and aggressive lower order hitter at Cricket Tasmania Premier League club University.

A net bowler for Australian A through his relationship with Paine, the right-arm seamer impressed enough after injury withdrawals to get picked.

He took 1-31 off eight overs on day one on Sunday, dismissing Vishad Randika for 27 thanks to a fine diving catch from keeper Josh Philippe.

Smith missed virtually all the 2023-24 season with a bad knee injury, and has opted to play club cricket in Darwin to get more playing time.

He featured in Southern Districts’ eight-wicket two-day win over Pint the past two Saturdays, taking 0-27 and 1-24.

Cricket Tasmania’s Head of Male Pathway Andrew Gale said Smith has been in their system for some time and is “absolutely” a potential Sheffield Shield player.

Tasmania has a strong recent record of developing all-rounders including current Test star Beau Webster, last summer’s breakout BBL gun Mitch Owen, under-19 World Cup winner Aidan O’Connor and Bradley Hope.

“I guess it’s a sliding doors moment for him really,” Gale said.

Louis Smith batting for University last season. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“He’s gone up to Darwin to play club cricket, and has ended up being a (Australia A) net bowler.

“There’s not that many state players up to speed this time of year, he’s impressed them and he’s got a fantastic opportunity.

“Painey will know him well as they would have played quite a bit at Uni.”

Gale said Smith’s trip to Darwin shows the dedication he has to his cricket.

“He’s missed a lot of cricket through a bad knee injury. Last season was his first full one for a while, hence why he’s gone to Darwin to play,” Gale said.

“He’s very dedicated and motivated to become a professional cricketer. He’s got some talent, and we’d class him as a bowler who can certainly bat.

“With young fast bowlers it’s always a case to get them strong and up to speed (after injury). It was frustrating for him, but now he’s got himself fit and is certainly establishing himself.

“He’s quite an aggressive player with the bat, and with the ball he’s more a seam bowler and stands it (seam)

“He has decent pace, something we’re working on is finding that extra yard.”

Gale is unsure why Tasmania is so prolific at producing all-rounders, but is confident Smith can be the next cab off the rank.

“Absolutely. He’s been in our set p for a while and that’s the next stage, to grab the opportunity in this game or in second XI cricket. He’s certainly on our radar,” Gale said.

“It’s weird isn’t it, with Aidan and Mitch Owen and Brad Hope and big Beau as well.

“There’s an abundance of all rounders, it’s and interesting situation because you usually don’t have that many.”