Choppie gets his break
Ryan Smith will spend 6 months with Wythenshawe Cricket Club near Manchester, UK.
‘LIKE the British constitution, cricket was not made: it has ‘grown’ – former England cricket great Sir Neville Cardus.
This saying also holds true for local cricketer Ryan ‘Choppie’ Smith, who jetted of yesterday (Sunday) to the United Kingdom after signing a six-month contract with Wythenshawe Cricket Club just outside Manchester.
The talented 18-year-old year old all-rounder, who specialises in leg spin, has headed over as an ‘amateur’ for the club he will represent in the upcoming season.
Ryan matriculated from Felixton College last year and has been bar-tending and waitering at Bar Reign to earn some pocket money for this trip.
He has also been playing club cricket in the First Division for Felixton and at Premiere League level for McCarthy Toyota uThungulu.
‘I am coming back on 17 September and plan on using the experience I will gain to better my game here at home,’ said Choppie.
His dream is to become a professional cricketer one day.
Ryan made the KZN Rural U17 side in 2012, reached the final round of the KZN U19 trials in 2013, was first team captain at Felixton last year and represented McCarthy Toyota uThungulu during 2013/14.
‘I spoke to a family friend of my father who hooked me up with an agent, and from there the rest is history,’ said Smith.
Ryan will be sending regular updates on how his season abroad goes.
