Greg Smith says he’s proud of his achievements this season, but still hungry to improve after signing a new two-year contract with Nottinghamshire.

The 27-year-old has contributed a number of match-defining performances in white-ball cricket during the 2016 campaign, including a half-century in the NatWest T20 Blast Quarter Final victory over Essex.

Smith, who also guided the Outlaws to victory over Birmingham Bears with an unbeaten fifty at Edgbaston, says big occasions – and match situations when the team is in desperate need – are the most rewarding occasions on which to shine.

“I’ve had more opportunities at the top of the order in the one-day competitions this year and am starting to show what I can do in those formats,” he says.

“Being involved in a side that won nine consecutive Twenty20 games is something to be proud of - and batting in the top three was exciting.

“We found a winning formula in that competition and played some good stuff.

“Being able to entertain big crowds, especially at home, is a very cool feeling – one that gives you the most unbelievable buzz.

“Whether it’s at Trent Bridge or away from home, you want to play innings that people will talk about and remember.

“For me, it’s all about scoring runs when the team needs you. That’s when it carries more weight. I want to be in those situations.

“Chris Read has done it for years, scoring runs when the team needs it most. Hopefully I can make that a habit moving forward.”

In the four-day arena, Smith was preferred to Jake Libby at the top of the order early in the season and made seven appearances.

Having tallied 257 runs at an average of 21, the former Leicestershire man has been working hard on his long format method as he plots a return to form in 2017.

It is, however, worthy of mention that his solitary half-century came in a winning cause during a tight run-chase against Surrey back in April.

“Although I haven’t scored heavily in the four-day stuff, to contribute early on to that win against Surrey was a good feeling,” he reflects.

“I’ve not been in the team at the back end of the season, but I’ve been working with Peter Moores based around some technical improvements that will help in four-day cricket.

“I still see myself as a player that can make good contributions in that format. It’s something I’m really hungry to get better in.

“Every time I go to training I’m trying to improve. It’s time to start worrying when you stop doing that.

“It’s about making sure I get better each day and pushing to play every game for the Club.”

Embarking on his third campaign as a Trent Bridgian and the first of his new two-year deal, Smith and his Nottinghamshire teammates have plenty on their plate in 2017 – not least winning back their place in the top division of the Specsavers County Championship.

That said, having been stung by semi-final sadness in each of his two seasons with the Club, not least when he was a losing centurion against Surrey in September 2015, Smith is equally focussed on going at least one stage better in the white-ball formats of the game.

“I’m very excited to have re-signed for Notts,” he adds.

“I’ve been at the Club two years and been in two semi-finals, so I’m hungry to take it a step further and to win a trophy.

“I don’t think there will be a huge number of changes in personnel, so it’s about pushing one-another and having a drive for success within the Club.

“That’s something we need to find next season, and I’m sure we will.”

 

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