Kelly Smuts

Kelly Smuts is an experienced, high-class all-rounder from Port Elizabeth in South Africa. A hard-hitting Left-handed Top/Middle Order Batsman, Kelly is an equally adept Right-arm Fast/Medium seam bowler. From a cricketing family, his brother is Protea, Jon-Jon Smuts, Kelly was destined to reach the professional level as a standout junior player right throughout his teens, represented Eastern Province at every age group from U13 through to the U19 Khaya Majola Coke Week which he represented the province two years on the bounce.

Following an outstanding youth career, Kelly was quickly drafted in to the Eastern Province Senior squad as well as the Warriors Franchise side alongside his brother. Making his First Class debut in 2009-10, he would go on to score 816 runs @ 42.94 in his first season in the big time and would find himself a regular in the Warriors side from 2010-11. In 2011, Kelly was a part of the Warriors Champions League side, playing the one game against South Australia at Hyderabad.

Kelly has spent a number of summers in the UK since first joining Morecambe CC in the ECB Northern Premier League in 2014, for whom he scored 937 runs and picked up 53 wickets in a stellar first stint as a club player/coach. He returned in 2015, joining Rishton CC in the Lancashire league, piling on 955 runs @ 68.21 and taking home 53 wickets @ 14.60. After an interrupted 2016 stint with Wimbledon CC which only last 4 games, Kelly returned to the UK in 2017, joining Todmorden CC in the Lancashire league.

Kely was once again a standout, breaking Michael Clarke’s league record of 200* (161) by cracking 211 (139) against Enfield CC then backed it up with 4-16 (10) in a big win for Todmorden. He finished the summer with 882 runs @ 58.80 and 45 wickets @ 15.71.

Keen to return to the UK after a 3-year hiatus, Kelly and his family headed to the UK in 2021, joining Burbage & Easton Royal CC in the West of England competition. A slow start with the bat but ultimately a solid, Kelly scored 573 runs @ 31.83 and helped himself to 27 wickets with his seam-up bowling. Kelly will be travelling with his family.