Smith receives maiden Proteas call-up

Hollywoodbets Dolphins allrounder Jason Smith received his maiden call-up to the Proteas squad for their T20 International Series against the West Indies starting later this month in the Caribbean.

Smith will join Dolphins seamer Ottniel Baartman as the two Hollywoodbets Dolphins players in the squad for the series.

The batting allrounder has continued to evolve his game since he joined the Dolphins before the 2021/22 season and his consistent performances in Dolphins colours has led to this selection.

The 29 year-old was a crucial part of the Dolphins squad that made it to the CSA T20 Challenge final last season and made a half century in the final. Smith has also been retained by Durban's Super Giants for the third edition of the SA20 which gets underway in the new year.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins assistant coach Quinton Friend believes that it was only a matter of time before the call came for higher honours.

"This selection is so well deserved and since his move from Cape Town his game has been on an upward curve," Friend said. " .

"It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get into a position where you can consistently put in match-winning performances.

“We are extremely proud of Jason that he has got this call-up. He’s a fantastic human being and he will definitely be an asset to that Proteas T20 squad.”

CEO of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom was extremely excited when Smith joined the Dolphins a few seasons ago and is thrilled the allrounder's achievements had been recognised by the national team.

"Jason has been a core member of our squad across all formats and has continued to elevate his game since arriving in Durban," Strydom said.

"His performances in white ball cricket and especially the T20 Challenge have been impressive and it's fantastic that he is now in the Proteas mix.

"We wish him, fellow Hollywoodbets Dolphins star Ottniel Baartman, and the Proteas squad all the best for the upcoming series against the West Indies."

The Proteas begin their T20 series against the West Indies on Friday, 23 August .