21 November, 2009
NSW all-rounder Steven Smith admits he's still on 'cloud nine' following his inclusion in Australia's Twenty20 squad for Sunday night's clash with an ACA All-Star Team at the Gabba.
Smith, the Blues' leading wicket-taker in the 2008 Big Bash and a key player in the recent Twenty 20 Champions League triumph, was clearly still coming to terms with his selection when he fronted the media at the SCG on Friday.
"I heard last night and it was a bit shocking to get the call, but I'm very excited and looking forward to Sunday," the fresh-faced all-rounder said on Friday.
"To get picked in this side is a bit of a surprise so I've just got to go out on Sunday and do the best I can."
"I didn't expect it at all. Pup (Australia Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke) told me yesterday that I might have been chance of playing and then I got a call. It was such a big surprise, I couldn't believe it, to be honest."
"I'm still on cloud nine from being picked in the team. I'm sure when they're doing the toss I'll be getting pretty nervous. I'm not sure how many people are going to be there on Sunday but I'm sure there will be a few."
The 20-year-old leg-spinner burst onto the state scene in early 2008 and has since made seven first-class, 11 one-day and 15 Twenty20 appearances for the Blues.
He now faces the daunting prospect of facing off against retired greats Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath.
And the talented up-start is not expecting any favours from his more experienced foes.
"I'm sure they're going to be going pretty hard at me," Smith said.
"The Gabba isn't known as being too good for spinners. I'm looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully I'll be able to take a few wickets."
Asked to assess his performances with the ball in recent times, Smith said: "The ball is coming out quite well but I'm probably bowling one loose ball an over. I was getting a bit of turn (against Tasmania), it would have been good to get a few more wickets but I'm enjoying it."
While the man himself was still in shock over his selection, Blues skipper Simon Katich says recent performances demanded his inclusion.
"His performances in India were outstanding and now in these first couple of Shield games, and one-day games as well, his form with the bat and ball has been brilliant," Katich said.
"He's had to shoulder a big workload with the ball, probably more so than we expected just because last game we lost a few guys to injury, but for him to go out there and bowl 40 overs and take 3-130 was outstanding as a 20-year-old."
"I think he's got a huge future in the game, not only with the ball but also with the bat."