Published: 20/10/2009 19:57:09 | Modified: 20/10/2009 20:01:05
Author: Bruce Talbot | All Contributors
Smith joins Middlesex on three-year deal
New signing Tom Smith says the lengths to which Middlesex went before offering him a contract was a major factor in his decision to leave Sussex.
The 22-year-old slow left-armer, starved of opportunities at Hove, has joined Middlesex on a three-year contract after Sussex agreed to release him even though he still had a year left on his current deal.
Smith said: “One of the things which impressed me was that (Middlesex director of cricket) Gus Fraser came down to watch me play for Eastbourne in a Sussex League game.
“I wasn’t aware of it and I think Gus was trying to stay out of the way that day but someone spotted him and word got back.
“I know he also came to Hove a few times. He obviously did his homework. He could have just asked other people about me so to come and watch me in club cricket was very impressive.”
Smith made his debut in the opening Championship game against Lancashire but it proved to be his only first-team appearance of the season.
The emergence of Rory Hamilton-Brown as a batsman who could also bowl respectable off spin effectively blocked his path into Sussex’s successful one-day team and he admits that his performance against Lancashire (11 runs and 0 for 70) were not good enough to keep his place.
“I didn’t make my mark enough in that game to deserve another chance. You have to take your opportunities when they come,” he added.
“It’s three years since I made my debut and I haven’t really shown what I can do. But I have no regrets. I have learned so much from the likes of Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq at Sussex, but I just haven’t played as much as I would have liked. At this stage of my career it is time to play.”
Smith ended the season on loan with Surrey and scored a match-winning 61 in a Pro40 League win over Leicestershire. A loan move to Worcestershire fell through in August and both counties were keen to sign him but he quickly made his mind up to head to Lord’s when Middlesex made their interest known.
He said: “I’m looking forward to bowling at Lord’s and also with Shaun Udal, who I'm sure will be quite a good mentor for me.
“I thought I would be given a mandatory two-year contract but three years allows me to settle in and show what I can do. I’m sure I will also learn a lot from being around the likes of Andrew Strauss, Owais Shah and Eoin Morgan as well.”
Smith, meanwhile, is due to link up with the England Performance squad before Christmas.