Steven Smith is the most promising Australian spinner since Shane Warne emerged - but he is more than that. He carries the extra advantage of being an outstanding batsman who could soon slot in to the top six for his country, whether he bowls or not. By the age of 21 he was in Australia's Test, one-day and Twenty20 teams, picked on promise and quickly showing the composure of a seasoned professional. There were words of caution about his early elevation, but there was no hiding the excitement about a player who gives the ball air, hits it hard, catches it at will and seems unbothered by pressure.

Smith became an international player in 2009-10 after starring with New South Wales, striking four Sheffield Shield centuries and finishing the season with career-best figures of 7 for 64. After only 13 first-class games he was picked on a Test tour of New Zealand but didn't get to play. He had already been trialled in the T20 and ODI sides, impressing with his attitude, and was used more as a legspinner than a batsman. Figures of 2 for 78 in his first one-dayer against West Indies don't look great, but he convinced Ricky Ponting to keep the field up to build pressure. Not many 20-year-olds - Smith looks even younger - win arguments like that. He was part of the squad in Australia's journey to the World Twenty20 final and his opening Test series, against Pakistan in England, was encouraging. There were three wickets in the two games and a muscular 77 in the second innings at Leeds.

A promising start to his state career occurred in 2007-08, when he played his first games in the three domestic formats. In the Pura Cup he opened with 33 and began his FR Cup experience without batting, although he posted 35 in his second attempt. The biggest impact came in the Twenty20 tournament, where he finished the qualifying matches as the competition's joint-highest wicket-taker with nine at a remarkable average of 5.33. His 4 for 15 in the dying stages against a Queensland side chasing 122 helped New South Wales to victory and earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.

Further all-round gains were made in 2008-09 when he added 207 runs in four first-class games, including a high of 68, and five wickets. There were six FR Cup breakthroughs in seven appearances along with 117 runs, but he delivered only four overs in five T20s, despite his success the previous summer. Smith was given his first New South Wales rookie contract in 2007-08, was named in the Australian squad for the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, and had his state deal upgraded in the 2008 off-season.
Cricinfo staff July 2010