Tom's a runs machine (From Free Press Series)

Tom's a runs machine

2:10pm Thursday 9th October 2008

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A 12-YEAR-OLD from Mathern is being touted as a county cricketer of the future.

Chepstow CC’s chairman Bob Hepworth said of young Tom Smith: “We’ve had a few players go on to play county cricket, with Adrian Dale at Glamorgan the most notable. But Smith is the best young talent I’ve ever seen.

“He’s played for us since he was about seven or eight when he started out in the under-10s. He has always played about three age groups above himself.”

Smith, a right-handed batsmen from St John’s-on-the-Hill School, was recently inducted into the academy for emerging players at Gloucestershire CCC, and has signed a deal with equipment suppliers Gray-Nicolls. He scored 2,436 runs this year and is even a regular on the senior league circuit, having represented Chepstow’s fourth XI.

“We gave him a senior game at the end of the season – though he was run out by his dad,” joked Hepworth.

Playing for Chepstow Under-13s, Coalpit Heath Under-13s and Gloucestershire this summer, Smith notched up 14 half centuries and a 100. His medals include the Gwent Youth League Championship, the Bristol League and Cup, and the Gloucestershire County Cup.

Hepworth, admitting that the bright lights of Bristol risk luring Smith away from club cricket, added: “Being in the academy means he’s now 100 per cent in the eye of county selectors. For us the best thing is to have good players but not quite good enough for county level.”

Chepstow’s captain Luke Sellers added: “He’s had a fantastic season, as good as any youngster ever at Chepstow.”

Sellers recalled one game against Croesyceiliog when Chepstow were chasing a huge 220 from just 20 overs. Remarkably, Smith guided his side to 100-1 in reply from ten and only the weather stopped him from winning the tie single-handed.

Among Smith’s other season highlights are scores of 87, 76 and 68 for Gloucestershire and a man-of-the-match performance in the Bristol Cup Final at the County Ground. He is also Gloucestershire and Coalpit Heath’s batsman of the year 2008.

Sellers continued: “He used to play for Gwent under-10s and I was coach there at the time. I’ve been following his progress since then and he’s probably the most dedicated youngster I’ve ever come across.

“He’s down at the club more than the rest of us put together. His selection for the academy is testament to the hard work he’s put in.”

Hepworth agreed: “He practises all hours God made.”

And with winter drawing near, Gloucester-based coach Steve Cashmore added: “Over a year, he spend more time in the nets than a North Sea fisherman.”

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