One of the back-up New South Wales glovemen, Daniel Smith almost played a full season in 2008-09 thanks to Brad Haddin's elevation to the national set-up. There were 10 first-class games that summer with a total of 33 dismissals and with the bat Smith peaked with 96 in 102 balls against South Australia, going on to register 407 runs at 31.30. He was also a regular in the one-day and Twenty20 formats but played without significant impact. By the end of 2009-10 Peter Nevill was behind the stumps, after Smith had struggled with the bat in five Shield matches. He did better in the FR Cup and was also handy in the Twenty20s.

In 2007-08 Smith captured 23 catches in four first-class games, but a highest score of 42 was slightly disappointing, and he didn't stand out in five one-day games. Haddin's World Cup call-up in 2007 allowed Smith to end that season with the Blues and he appeared in the final loss to Tasmania after impressing with 51 from 33 balls against Queensland. Smith also featured in England's tour match against New South Wales when he made 45, but he added only one FR Cup match and one Twenty20 outing to his tally. A top-order batsman for his club side Western Suburbs, Smith was picked in the state and national under-19 teams and honed his skills at the Academy in 2001.
Cricinfo staff August 2010