Smith returns in style after loan

8:40am Tuesday 9th September 2008

Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson has used all-rounder Tom Smith as a prime example for why the loan system in county cricket is working well.

The 22-year-old Smith, from Chorley, returned to Old Trafford recently after six weeks on loan at Leicestershire, and has impressed in both the County Championship and the Pro40 League.

Smith has taken three wickets in two Pro40 games for the Red Rose, while he also returned figures of 1-29 from 19 overs in the most recent County Championship draw against Durham, his first four-day game for the county this season.

He claimed 13 wickets in six first-class games for Leicestershire – and notched 228 runs, including a career best of 63.

He also took four wickets in three one-day games, and hit a half-century against Yorkshire at Headingley in a Pro40 League Division Two game.

Watkinson said: “He’s performed really well. The last couple of games I think we’ve seen the Tom Smith we saw a couple a seasons back when he played a full season with us, and got in the Academy, as it was then, for England.

“His loan spell with Leicestershire was really beneficial, and I think that’s what the loan deals are about.

“He’s come back a cricketer hungry to bat and bowl. His accuracy, especially when wickets were not being taken, was spot on in the game against Durham.”

Smith said: “I really enjoyed it down there. It was good to get out there to play some cricket. It enabled me to keep working on my game, learn new things, and experience different conditions. But it is good to be back at Lancashire.

“At Leicester I batted high up the order, and it gave me a lot more confidence. Now that I have come back for Lancashire, I know where I can score my runs against different kind of bowlers.

“I probably didn’t get as many wickets as I would have liked, but I got into some good rhythm to bring that back here.”

The loan system was brought into county cricket in 2005, and Lancashire have loaned out Smith, Kyle Hogg and Oliver Newby since.

Smith will almost certainly keep his place for tomorrow night’s crucial Pro40 League Division One relegation battle against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

The Lightning are desperate for a first win to haul themselves out of the relegation places, while Watkinson is considering picking a more experienced side than he has previously.

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