Linsey Smith

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Linsey Smith

| female = true

| image =

| country = England

| international = true

| fullname = Linsey Claire Neale Smith

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|3|10|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Hillingdon, Greater London, England

| death_date =

| death_place =

| batting = Left-handed

| bowling = Slow left-arm orthodox

| role = Bowler

| oneodi =

| odidebutdate =

| odidebutyear =

| odidebutagainst =

| odicap =

| lastodidate =

| lastodiyear =

| lastodiagainst =

| T20Idebutdate = 12 November

| T20Idebutyear = 2018

| T20Idebutagainst = Bangladesh

| T20Icap = 47

| lastT20Idate = 21 June

| lastT20Iyear = 2019

| lastT20Iagainst = West Indies

| T20Ishirt = 50

| club1 = Berkshire

| year1 = 2011–2016

| club2 = Southern Vipers

| year2 = 2016–2017

| club3 = Sussex

| year3 = {{nowrap|2017–present}}

| club4 = Loughborough Lightning

| year4 = 2018

| club5 = Yorkshire Diamonds

| year5 = 2019

| club6 = Northern Diamonds

| year6 = 2020–2022

| club7 = Northern Superchargers

| year7 = 2021–present

| club8 = Melbourne Stars

| year8 = 2021/22

| club9 = Otago

| year9 = {{nowrap|2022/23–2023/24}}

| club10 = Southern Vipers

| year10 = 2023–present

| club11 = Sydney Sixers

| year11 = 2023/24

| club12 = Melbourne Renegades

| year12 = {{nowrap|2024/25–present}}

| columns = 3

| column1 = WT20I

| matches1 = 9

| runs1 = –

| bat avg1 = –

| 100s/50s1 = –

| top score1 = –

| deliveries1 = 186

| wickets1 = 13

| bowl avg1 = 14.46

| fivefor1 = 0

| tenfor1 = 0

| best bowling1 = 3/18

| catches/stumpings1 = 0/–

| column2 = WLA

| matches2 = 81

| runs2 = 702

| bat avg2 = 13.50

| 100s/50s2 = 0/1

| top score2 = 51

| deliveries2 = 4,081

| wickets2 = 98

| bowl avg2 = 22.17

| fivefor2 = 2

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 5/34

| catches/stumpings2 = 18/–

| column3 = WT20

| matches3 = 169

| runs3 = 480

| bat avg3 = 9.60

| 100s/50s3 = 0/0

| top score3 = 34

| deliveries3 = 3,395

| wickets3 = 157

| bowl avg3 = 20.10

| fivefor3 = 0

| tenfor3 = 0

| best bowling3 = 4/10

| catches/stumpings3 = 39/–

| date = 18 December 2023

| source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/491/491892/491892.html CricketArchive

}}

Linsey Claire Neale Smith (born 10 March 1995) is an English cricketer who plays for Sussex, Southern Vipers, Northern Superchargers and Sydney Sixers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/517577.html |title=Linsey Smith |access-date=12 November 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}} A slow left-arm orthodox bowler, she originally played for Berkshire before moving to Sussex ahead of the 2017 season. In October 2018, she was named in the England women's cricket team squad for the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 tournament, and made her Women's Twenty20 International cricket (WT20I) debut in the tournament against Bangladesh.{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/england/women/news/869220/england-name-women-s-world-t20-squad |title=England name Women's World T20 squad |work=England and Wales Cricket Board |access-date=4 October 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1150539.html |title=7th Match, Group A (D/N), ICC Women's World T20 at Gros Islet, Nov 12 2018 |access-date=12 November 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

Early life

Smith was born on 10 March 1995 in Hillingdon, Greater London. She attended Loughborough University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/news/2018/october/students-and-alumnae-named-in-women%E2%80%99s-world-twenty/ |title=Students and alumnae named in Women's World Twenty20 squad |access-date=4 February 2021 |work=Loughborough University}}

Domestic career

Smith made her List A debut in the 2011 Super Fours competition, playing for Rubies against Sapphires, in which she bowled five overs and conceded just five runs.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/334/334052.html |title= Rubies v Sapphires, 14 May 2011 |access-date=4 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}} Just over two weeks later she made her county debut, for Berkshire against Middlesex in the 2011 Women's County Championship, in which she returned figures of 0/45 from her 10 overs.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/313/313870.html |title=Middlesex Women v Berkshire Women, 29 May 2011 |access-date=4 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}} Smith quickly became a regular in Berkshire's team, and took her maiden five-for the following season in a match against Somerset.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/392/392977.html |title=Somerset Women v Berkshire Women 22 July 2012 |access-date=4 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}} In the 2015 Women's County Championship, she was her side's leading wicket-taker.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/24/Royal_London_Womens_One-Day_Cup_2015/Berkshire_Women_Bowling.html |title=Royal London One-Day Cup 2015/Berkshire Women Bowling |access-date=4 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}}

Smith was selected for the Southern Vipers squad in the 2016 Women's Cricket Super League as an injury replacement player.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/my-parents-were-going-to-watch-the-men-s-tests-in-sri-lanka-linsey-smith-on-wwt20-call-up-1165526 |title='My parents were going to watch the men's Tests in Sri Lanka!' - Linsey Smith on WWT20 call-up |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=5 February 2021}} She took four wickets in her second match, against Yorkshire Diamonds, and went on to take 8 wickets in 5 games at the best bowling average in the tournament, 11.50.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/953/953153.html |title=Southern Vipers v Yorkshire Diamonds, 8 August 2016 |access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}}{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/28/Kia_Super_League_2016/Bowling_by_Average.html |title=Kia Super League 2016 Bowling by Average |access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}} On the back of her success in the Super League, Smith signed for Sussex in early 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2017/04/12/sussex-women-sign-linsey-smith-from-berkshire/ |title=Sussex Women sign Linsey Smith from Berkshire |access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive|date=12 April 2017 }}

Having won the Women's Cricket Super League with the Vipers in 2016, Smith went on to play for the runners-up in the next two seasons, for the Vipers in 2017 and for Loughborough Lightning in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/491/491892/Womens_Twenty20_Matches.html |title=Linsey Smith T20 Matches|access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}} She played for Yorkshire Diamonds in 2019, taking 8 wickets at 32.50.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/32/Kia_Super_League_2019/Yorkshire_Diamonds_Bowling.html |title=Kia Super League 2019/Yorkshire Diamonds Bowling |access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}} Meanwhile, at county level, Smith took 7 wickets in Sussex's 2018 Women's County Championship Division Two winning season.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/30/Royal_London_Womens_One-Day_Cup_2018/Sussex_Women_Bowling.html |title=Royal London One-Day Cup 2018/Sussex Women Bowling |access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}}

In 2020, Smith played four matches, including the final, in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for Northern Diamonds.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/491/491892/Womens_List_A_Matches.html |title=Linsey Smith List A Matches|access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}} She took four wickets at an average of 25.50.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/34/Rachael_Heyhoe-Flint_Trophy_2020/Northern_Diamonds_Bowling.html |title=Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020/Northern Diamonds Bowling |access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}} In 2021, she took 12 wickets for the side in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 10 wickets in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and 9 wickets for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=13889;team=6769;type=tournament |title=Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2021 - Northern Diamonds/Batting and Bowling Averages |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=28 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=13890;team=6769;type=tournament |title=Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Northern Diamonds/Batting and Bowling Averages |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=28 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=13891;team=6694;type=tournament |title=Records/The Hundred Women's Competition, 2021 - Northern Superchargers (Women)/Batting and Bowling Averages |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=28 September 2021}} She also achieved her List A best bowling figures, taking 5/34 against Western Storm.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-2021-1252263/northern-diamonds-vs-western-storm-1252280/match-report |title=Linsey Smith five-for delivers Diamonds victory over Western Storm |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=28 September 2021}}

In October 2021, it was announced that Smith had signed for Melbourne Stars for the upcoming 2021–22 Women's Big Bash League season.{{cite web|url=https://www.melbournestars.com.au/news/stars-add-more-firepower/2021-10-05 |title=Stars Add More Firepower |publisher=Melbourne Stars |access-date=5 October 2021}} In April 2022, she was bought by the Northern Superchargers for the 2022 season of The Hundred.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60477088 |title=The Hundred 2022: latest squads as Draft picks revealed |work=BBC Sport |access-date=5 April 2022}} She was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the 2022 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, with 13 wickets at an average of 18.07.{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=14446;type=tournament |title=Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022/Most Wickets |publisher=ESPNCricinfo|access-date=3 October 2022}} At the end of the 2022 season, it was announced that Smith had left Northern Diamonds, re-joining Southern Vipers.{{cite web|url=https://www.ageasbowl.com/cricket/news/southern-vipers-sign-rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-winner-linsey-smith/ |title=Southern Vipers Sign Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Winner Linsey Smith |publisher=The Ageas Bowl |date=2 November 2022 |access-date=2 November 2022}}

In January 2023, Smith signed for Otago Sparks for the remainder of the Super Smash, playing four matches for the side.{{cite web|url=https://www.otagocricket.co.nz/newsarticle/123970?newsfeedId=1094397 |title=Sparks Sign Imports to Offset Loss of White Ferns |publisher=Otago Cricket |date=24 January 2023 |access-date=24 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=15071;team=2627;type=tournament |title=Records/Women's Super Smash, 2022/23 - Otago Women/Batting and Bowling Averages |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=23 February 2023}} In 2023, for Southern Vipers she was the third-highest wicket-taker in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, with 13 and 19 wickets respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-2023-15157?team=6009 |title=Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2023 - Southern Vipers/Batting and Bowling Averages |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=19 October 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/charlotte-edwards-cup-2023-15158?team=6009 |title=Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Southern Vipers/Batting and Bowling Averages |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=19 October 2023}} She also took nine wickets at an average of 15.88 in seven matches for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2023-15217?team=6694 |title=Records/The Hundred Women's Competition, 2023 - Northern Superchargers (Women)/Batting and Bowling Averages |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=19 October 2023}} In October 2023, it was announced that Smith had signed for Sydney Sixers for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League season.{{cite web|url=https://www.sydneysixers.com.au/news/3740974/sydney-sixers-secure-english-spinner-ahead-of-season-opener |title=Sydney Sixers Secure English Spinner Ahead of Season Opener |publisher=Sydney Sixers |date=18 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023}} She took 11 wickets in her 11 matches for the side, with an economy of 6.42.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/women-s-big-bash-league-2023-24-15588?team=5641 |title=Records in Women's Big Bash League, 2023/24 / Sydney Sixers Women Batting and Bowling Averages |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 December 2023}}

International career

In October 2018, Smith was named in the England squad for their upcoming 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 campaign. She made her debut in England's second game of the tournament, against Bangladesh, and took 1/17 from four overs, having Sanjida Islam caught to claim her maiden international wicket. She played one more match in the tournament, against South Africa, where she again took one wicket.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-women-s-world-t20-2018-19-1150525/england-women-vs-south-africa-women-15th-match-group-a-1150547/full-scorecard |title=15th Match, Group A (D/N), ICC Women's World T20 at Gros Islet, Nov 16 2018 |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

In February 2019, Smith was awarded a rookie contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for 2019, as well as being named as part of the squad for England's tours of India and Sri Lanka.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/england/women/news/1048970/england-women-name-squads-for-india-and-sri-lanka |title=England Women name squads for India and Sri Lanka |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=England and Wales Cricket Board}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25936437/freya-davies-awarded-england-women-contract-ahead-india-tour |title=Freya Davies awarded England Women contract ahead of India tour |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=6 February 2019}} Smith took 5 wickets at 10.60 in the three T20Is against India and took 4 wickets at 17.50 in the three T20Is against Sri Lanka.{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/32/England_Women_in_India_2018-19/witt_England_Women_Bowling.html |title=England Women in India 2018/19/England Women Bowling |access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}}{{Cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/32/England_Women_in_Sri_Lanka_2018-19/witt_England_Women_Bowling.html |title=England Women in Sri Lanka 2018/19/England Women Bowling |access-date=5 February 2021|work=Cricket Archive}} Smith played one match the following summer, taking 2/22 against the West Indies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/wi-w-in-eng-and-ire-2019-1168009/england-women-vs-west-indies-women-2nd-t20i-1168020/full-scorecard |title=2nd T20I, West Indies Women tour of England and Ireland, Jun 21 2019 |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}

On 18 June 2020, Smith was named in a squad of 24 players to begin training ahead of international women's fixtures starting in England following the COVID-19 pandemic, but did not play a match that summer.{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/england/women/news/1685005/england-women-confirm-back-to-training-plans |title=England Women confirm back to training plans |work=England and Wales Cricket Board |access-date=18 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29327435/england-women-return-training-september-tri-series-cards |title=England Women return to training with September tri-series on the cards |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=18 June 2020}}

She was named in the England squad for the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/4097654/england-women-squad-named-for-icc-womens-t20-world-cup-2024|title=England Women squad named for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024|publisher=England and Wales Cricket Board|accessdate=3 October 2024}} Smith took 2/11 and effected a run-out in England's opening match win over Bangladesh.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/england-bangladesh-alice-capsey-nat-sciverbrunt-amy-jones-b2624461.html|title=Spinner Linsey Smith impresses as England beat Bangladesh at T20 World Cup|publisher=The Independent|accessdate=5 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-women-s-t20-world-cup-2024-25-1432420/bangladesh-women-vs-england-women-6th-match-group-b-1432427/match-report|title=Wyatt-Hodge, Smith to the fore as England grind past Bangladesh|publisher=ESPNCricinfo|accessdate=5 October 2024}}

Smith was named in the England squad for the T20I part of their multi-format tour to South Africa in November 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/clygdlp338po|title=Uncapped Bouchier and Kemp in England Test squad|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=9 November 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/england-drop-alice-capsey-for-south-africa-t20is-include-two-uncapped-players-for-test|title=England drop Alice Capsey for South Africa T20Is, include two uncapped players for Test match|publisher=Wisden|accessdate=9 November 2024}} She was also included in the England squad for the T20I part of the 2025 Women's Ashes series in Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/4190158/england-women-name-squads-for-2025-womens-ashes|title=England Women name squads for 2025 Women’s Ashes|publisher=England and Wales Cricket Board|accessdate=25 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c4gleywzv9ro|title=Cross back as England name Women's Ashes squad|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=25 December 2024}}