Smith relishing big money move to South Africa T20 league

It is no secret that Jamaican all-rounder Odean Smith is becoming more popular by the minute on the international T20 circuit, as just last week the Kingston Cricket Club player entered the Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 draft with the highest base price of US$101,000.

That figure was the highest for any player at the draft. West Indian pacer Jayden Seales also commanded the US$101,000 base fee. Other West Indians who are in the draft are Keemo Paul, Alzzari Joseph, Carlos Brathwaite and Shamarh Brooks. The draft also includes England’s Eoin Morgan, Adil Rashid and Jason Roy, New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham and Sri Lankan Chamika Karunaratne.

Smith, who has played 19 T20s and five One-Day Internationals for the West Indies, is currently plying his trade with the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League. Come September 19, the burly right-hander says he is eager to know which of the six franchises in South Africa he will represent.

“I’m excited to be a part of the CSA T20 League. I have heard good things about South Africa and it’s going to be my first time there. The tournament is new so I’m not sure what to expect, but it will be a good learning experience,” said Smith.

Smith, who was also part of the Punjab Kings franchise in the Indian Premier League, is represented by GGSM Sports Limited. Their CEO and Managing Director Brad Gillings is pleased that the Jamaican can get another opportunity to showcase his talent in another big international T20 tournament.

“The CSA T20 League is one of the new franchise tournaments entering the T20 circuit and for Odean to be a marquee signing shows how far he has come in the last year. We’ve always known he can be a special player and now he’s showing that on the international level.

“The franchise cricket circuit continues to expand, and players like Odean Smith will continue to attract attention from all over the globe. He has played a lot of cricket since his reintroduction to the international scene, so we are selective when it comes to which tournaments he participates in to ensure he has enough time for rest and recovery,” said Gillings.

Four other West Indian players have already been signed from a pool of 30 marquee players. They are Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers (Durban franchise), Romario Shepherd (Johannesburg Super Kings) and Obed McCoy (Paarl Royals).