Jamie Smith: Captaining Surrey is a dream come true for me

Jamie Smith may have only just turned 21 last month but, at Surrey, he has long been earmarked for future leadership roles.

This summer’s Royal London Cup has given him an exciting early opportunity to test his natural captaincy skills at senior level.

“It is such a huge honour to captain Surrey, a club I first represented at the age of nine,” said Smith, after taking over from an injured Hashim Amla (groin) for last Thursday’s Royal London Group 1 fixture against Somerset at the Kia Oval.

Unfortunately, Surrey were denied victory by the weather, having made 66 without loss in response to the visitors’ 220 when rain had the final say

Smith also led Surrey at Leicestershire two days later, scoring 34 in a dramatic rain-affected match, which the Foxes won by one run after Surrey collapsed to 225 all out, despite having been 173-3 with 64 balls to go.

It means the Oval outfit not only need to win their two remaining group games to qualify for this Saturday’s quarter-finals, they also need to win them handsomely.

Smith admits that captaining his native county is something he has coveted ever since he marked his first-class debut with a brilliant 127 against MCC in Dubai in March 2019.

“Yes, it’s something I’ve always had my eye on,” added Smith. “I know I am still a relative newcomer to the dressing room but the senior players at the club have all been very helpful to me over the past couple of seasons. It gives me great confidence to be seen as someone who can captain the side and, due to Hashim’s injury, the next in line.”

It was in July 2018, a week short of his 18th birthday, that the talented Smith first played for Surrey – in a T20 London derby against Middlesex at Lord’s, no less. He has quickly established himself as a first team regular with his elegant, powerful batting and, when required, his wicketkeeping skills.

An ever-present across all formats this season, he has made a championship century and five other scores above fifty in all competitions – including a remarkable 19-ball 54 against Nottinghamshire in the Royal London Cup win at Guildford.

Now he can add captaincy experience to his fast-growing cricketing CV, although for Smith the chance to lead at senior level is merely a continuation of what he has done ever since he began to play cricket as a child.

“I was the captain for most of the time growing up,” said Smith. “I did it through the Surrey age group teams, and at school and for my club age groups. I really got into it at Surrey Under-17 level and it is something I really enjoy.

“I think I have a decent cricket brain and a lot to offer in terms of leadership and on-field decision-making. I like the leadership side of the game. When I’m keeping wicket, or in the outfield, I always like to offer up opinions and I like the challenge of trying to put your stamp on a match as a captain.

“To get the opportunity to captain Surrey now is a dream come true for me and it’s definitely something I want to do more in the future. And, at the moment, who knows what the immediate future holds with players away, a lot playing for England. So I’ll do it whenever I’m asked!”

Meanwhile, in The Hundred, the Oval Invincibles sit third in the men’s and women’s tables, which would see both progress to the knockout phase.

The men overcame the much fancied Trent Rockets by 9 runs on Sunday, thanks to an unbeaten 56 by Jason Roy; though not before the start of the game had been put back 80 minutes due to a sodden outfield.

The Oval Invincibles’ next outing will be against London Spirit at the Oval this Saturday (14 August).