Comments from West Indian greats a confident booster: Nial Smith

By Brandon Corlette

If you have followed the recent Regional Super50 tournament in Antigua, you would have heard the West Indian greats and the commentators speaking highly of Guyana Jaguars pacer Nial Smith. The impressive speedster, who claimed eight wickets in the five matches he played, said these comments made by the West Indies greats will boost his confidence.
In a recent interview with this daily publication, Smith reflected on that tournament, the Best v Best experience and he also shared his aspirations in cricket. “It’s a good feeling hearing the legends, the senior guys talk good stuff about you. That is a big confident boost for me going forward,” Smith said.
In his first Regional Super50 tournament back in 2019, he had ordinary outings with the ball. That was not the case when he played in the most recent Super50. He also featured in the Best v Best match in Antigua, where he claimed three wickets, with players who were selected based on performances in the previous Regional 4-Day tournament.

“Getting into the Jaguars set-up after and the (Cricket Guyana Inc). academy system, things went well for me with the intense training. I must commend Coach Crandon and Sheppy (Romario Shepherd) who give me alot of advise,” Smith echoed. He further added that he began gym, something he was unfamiliar with and that aided in his strength as a fast-bowler.
In the grand Super final against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, the 25-year old Smith bowled a deadly yorker that removed the West Indies captain Kieron Pollard. “I hold my composure under pressure and deliver since everyone was going for a lot of runs.”
Smith described the Best v Best match, as an invaluable experience. “That was a great experience, playing among the current West Indies players. They had senior coaches around. I was working with Corey Collymore, a former West Indies fast bowler, who showed me a few things in bowling.”
Fitness is certainly as essential element for every athlete. When asked about his fitness, Smith once again credited the Jaguars franchise system for his fitness improvements. In addition to the strong Jaguars franchise system, the Tucber Park cricketer, Smith had played club cricket in Trinidad and Tobago. He said those pitches were much more slower but he gradually learned and he was well-supported by his team mates at Cosmos and Barrakpore United.
He also had the opportunity to play against the likes of Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard and Jason Mohammed, which boosted his confidence upon return in Guyana. When asked about his aspirations to play for the West Indies, Smith said: “my goal is to get more fit, playing in the Best v Best, teh coaches told me I was someone good to look at. Fancying a West Indies call-up, I am not looking too far ahead. I am trying to do what is ahead of me right, keep doing good and improve as I go along and gain as much experience as possible,” Smith explained.
In addition to his seven List A matches, he played seven First-class matches and took 20 wickets at 29.3 with two five-wicket hauls one of which he claimed one debut; his best figure is 6-55.