Sidebottom names Will Smeed as “The Next Big Thing” for English Cricket

Will Smeed in action in The Hundred 2022

Former England speedster Ryan Sidebottom has made a big claim regarding the future of English cricket. The 44-year-old recently lavished praise on Liam Livingstone and also lauded the efforts of a rising star from Birmingham Phoenix.

Ryan Sidebottom names MI Emirates’ new recruit as one for the future

During an interview with CricTracker, Ryan Sidebottom described Birmingham Phoenix’ 20-year-old star Will Smeed as one of the stars of the future for English cricket. The 2010 World Cup-winning alumni also praised Liam Livingstone and put the hard-hitter in the same category. Sidebottom said:

“Obviously Ben Stokes is a huge thing around the world, he is a superstar. But I would say the next big thing would have to be Liam Livingstone or Will Smeed.”

Will Smeed recently cracked a century for the Phoenix and became the first player in the history of The Hundred to do so. His 50-ball 101* turbo-charged his side to a powering win over the Southern Brave at Edgbaston.

Smeed becomes The Hundred’s first centurion, watch highlights of record knock

Earlier this month, the Somerset-based cricketer was also signed on by Mumbai Indians’ sister franchise MI Emirates for the inaugural ILT20 season. The tournament is slated to be played in January and February next year in UAE.

After the signing, the destructive opener expressed his excitement of joining the franchise.

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