The promising all-rounder of the West Indies, Dwayne Smith feels thrilled while batting on the top order as he finds more chances to explore his innings.
Smith has been performing well recently while batting at no.3 position and was consistent in scoring. He was negotiating well with the rival bowling and providing a solid base for the batsmen to come.
The 29-year-old made his One Day International debut against South Africa on January 25, 2004, at Newlands, Cape Town. The home team smashed 263 runs while batting first and the visitors were bowled out for 54 mere runs and he managed just one run while batting at no.6.
Dwayne Smith has been a regular member of the national squad and used to bat in the middle order. He has played 80 ODIs and scored 1046 runs at a nominal average of 17.72, the best of 68 with 5 fifties. The right arm medium fast bowler has taken 56 wickets averaging 37.17 runs per wicket with the best of 5-45.
Smith rediscovered himself while representing Khulna Royal Bengals in the Bangladesh Premier League 2011-12. He batted up in the order for his team and became the fifth most scoring batsmen in the competition by plundering 346 runs at an average of 43.25, the best of unbeaten 103 with two fifties.
The right hand batsman was the prominent member of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2012. He was provided with a chance to bat on the top order and he fulfilled the promise by scoring 157 runs averaging 39.25 with the best of unbeaten 87.
The West Indies team management acknowledged his recent performance, assigned him a chance to bat at no.3 and he did not let them down. Smith knows exactly what is required of him and he was sure that he is capable of playing solid knocks with consistency. He said,
“I’m more experienced now and have a good understanding of what is required. I know my role in the team and that is primarily to dig in and get good runs on the board. I can clear the boundary, but I also want to show I can play quality innings and can get runs consistently.”
Smith played a couple of ODIs against England on the recent away tour of the West Indies in 2012 and he was given a chance to bat up in the order. He scored 56 runs at an average of 28.00 with the best of 56 runs and continued with a blistering 70 in the Twenty20 off 54 balls comprising 5 sixes and even fours.
New Zealand is currently visiting West Indies and has played one ODI on July 5, 2012, at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. The Black Caps managed 190 runs while batting first and the Windies attained the revised target of 136 runs (33 overs) in 24.2 overs. Smith top scored by plundering unbeaten 65 off 77 balls with 3 huge sixes and 6 fours.
Dwayne Smith was enjoying while batting at the top order, appreciated the selectors who provided him a chance and he promised to continue amassing runs. He commented,
“I made a decision to move to the top order to give myself a chance. The selectors have put their faith in me and I have received a lot of support from everyone around. I am relaxed and in a good frame of mind.”
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