LINSEY Smith admits she has ambitions to play for England following her record-breaking display in the Kia Super League.
The bowler, who came through the junior ranks at Aston Rowant and still plays for their men’s second team, produced her match-winning spell for the Southern Vipers against the Yorkshire Diamonds.
Smith, who bowls left-arm spin, captured 4-16 at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, in front of 1,000 spectators to secure the Vipers a place in finals day at Chelmsford on Sunday August 21.
These are the best bowling figures recorded in women cricket’s new T20 competition – and it was achieved by a player not even in the Vipers team at the start.
Smith, who plays her county cricket for top-flight side Berkshire, said: “I had trained with the Vipers before the tournament and came into the side after they suffered a number of injuries.
In her first match, she bowled a tidy spell of 1-15 against Lancashire which kept her in the team to face Yorkshire.
In her four overs she claimed four victims – including England stars Katherine Brunt and Jenny Gunn – and took a caught-and-bowled at the cost of just 16 runs as Vipers won by 54 runs.
The 21-year-old, who switched from left-arm seam to spin because of a number of niggling injuries, said: “It was a great thrill to do so well in front of so many people.
“I’d like to play for England one day.
“ I need to work on my spin bowling with my coaches, but it is an ambition to play international cricket.”
Smith is already working as a coach, helping with the ECB’s ‘Chance to Shine, scheme with the Leicestershire Cricket Board, having attended Loughborough University.
But she will never forget where she started playing.
She added: “Aston Rowant is at my heart – they have been massive and got me started.
“Wes Morrick and others put in a lot of work, for which I’m very grateful.”
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