Smith throws in his lot with Nottinghamshire

Northerns Titans left-arm pace bowler Greg Smith will be joining Notts for the 2001 season after deciding to commit himself to English cricket.

Notts Cricket Manager Clive Rice is delighted to have captured the signature of the 6ft 3in seamer, who he believes should have been an international player for some time.

"I have always rated Greg very highly," said Rice. "He is an exciting player who bowls left arm with genuine pace and does a bit with the ball both through the air and off the seam.

"He was at the national academy in South Africa with me at the same time as Lance Klusener and as far as I was concerned Greg was always the better bowler of the two.

"He has been on the fringes of the Test side for a long time and has been very unfortunate not to make it but with the current political situation he now finds himself pushed aside.

Rice said Smith had been immensely frustrated by missing out on a career in international cricket and has decided to commit to the English county game.

"He has an English father and a British passport and has decided he wants to throw in his lot and play with us," added Rice.

"He has now registered as a player in this country and will play the next South African season for Northerns as their overseas player before joining the Notts squad next spring on a three-year contract."

Smith made his First Class debut for Northerns in the 1993-94 season around the same time he attended the South African academy under Rice.

He played 11 First Class matches last season and took 29 wickets at an average just above 30 while weighing in with a handy batting average of 23,71.