William Conrad Francis Smeed, commonly known as Will Smeed, is a talented cricket player hailing from England. Born on March 19, 2002, Smeed rose to prominence as one of Somerset’s promising young batters.
Smeed’s cricket journey began to gain attention during his time in Somerset’s academy. He caught the eye of cricket enthusiasts and experts when he and Marcus Trescothick scored centuries in the same 2nd XI innings, an exceptional feat considering Smeed was only 16 at the time.
Raised and educated at King’s College Taunton, Smeed continued to impress as he progressed through his cricket career. In 2020, during only his second professional game, Smeed made headlines by smashing 82 runs off just 49 balls against Gloucestershire in the Vitality Blast. This performance showcased his immense talent and marked him as a rising star in cricket circles.
In the 2021 Blast season, Smeed’s skills on the cricket field began to gain recognition nationally. His performances were so impressive that he was selected as an injury replacement for Birmingham Phoenix in the first edition of The Hundred, a prestigious cricket tournament. On his debut for Birmingham Phoenix, Smeed stunned spectators as he scored a quickfire 36 off just 13 balls, displaying his explosive batting abilities. He continued his fine form throughout the tournament, finishing with a strike rate of 172.91 and helping his team reach the final.
Smeed’s moment of glory arrived in 2022 when he etched his name in cricket history by scoring the Hundred’s first-ever century. Facing the defending champions Southern Brave at Edgbaston, he showcased his batting prowess and demonstrated why he was considered one of the most promising young talents.
His skills were not limited to T20 cricket alone, as Smeed displayed his potential in one-day cricket as well. During his debut match for England Lions, where the game did not possess List A status, he played a blistering innings of 90 runs off just 56 balls against the touring South Africans. His remarkable display helped the Lions chase down a target of 320 with an astounding 12.5 overs remaining.
In November 2022, Smeed made a significant decision in his career. Despite not having played a game of first-class cricket, he chose to sign a white-ball-only contract with Somerset, signaling his departure from the longer format of the game. He explained that his goal was to excel in one format rather than spread himself thin across all forms of cricket. This decision demonstrated his ambition to be the best version of himself in the limited-overs format.
At such a young age, Smeed has already showcased his immense potential and has established himself as a prominent figure in English cricket. With his explosive batting style and his ability to single-handedly change the outcome of a match, Smeed is undoubtedly a player to watch out for in the coming years. His dedication to perfecting his craft and his determination to be the best have set him on a path to cricketing greatness.