Lawrence Neil-Smith, First Grade cap 757, became the club’s latest first-class cricketer when he made his Sheffield Shield debut for Tasmania against Western Australia at the WACA last Thursday.
Neil-Smith took his first wicket from the last ball of his ninth over, when he had Josh Philippe caught at mid-on, and he finished the innings with 3-81. He followed that effort with a vital 39 not out, sharing a ninth wicket partnership of 111 with Tim Paine, and two more wickets in the second innings. He has become the third player (after Ed Cowan and Cam Hawkins) to reach first-class cricket after playing for the Sydney University AW Green Shield team.
Neil-Smith began his career with Sydney University representing the 2014/15 AW Green Shield side that reached the grand final. A tall opening bowler that hurried the opening batsmen (and still does), his returns during that campaign were nothing short of impressive, capturing 17 wickets at an astonishing average just shy of 14.
Quickly establishing him amongst the club as a promising talent, Neil-Smith chipped away in the lower grades over the Summer holidays when he wasn’t representing the Newington College First XI. His breakthrough season for the club came in 2017/18, where the youngster started in 2nd Grade but quickly progressed through to the Ones after he had taken 22 wickets at 18.5.
Neil-Smith spent the entire second half of the season in the top grade displaying his skills, before an eye-catching performance in the grand final against Parramatta. Opening the bowling, he claimed 4-49 off 27 overs, his best first grade bowling figures of his career. He was subsequently awarded a rookie contract with Tasmania for the 2018/19 and 19/20 seasons.
On behalf of everyone at Sydney University, congratulations Lawrence! We look forward to plenty more successful First-Class performances.