Lawrence Neil-Smith

Lawrence Neil-Smith is an Australian cricketer originally from Sydney but now based in Tasmania. A Right-arm Fast seamer, he is also a capable Right-handed Middle Order Batsman. In May 2018, he signed a two year rookie contract with Tasmania ahead of the 2018-19 season. Lawrence made his first-class debut for Tasmania in October 2019 and was duly upgraded to a two year full contract. He is a natural all-round sportsman having also played elite pathways Australian Rules.

Lawrence attended Newington College in Sydney and was selected for the school’s 1st XI cricket team aged just 14, the school went on to win the GPS Premiership. He was in the Cricket NSW pathways program throughout his teens and was a Cricket NSW Basil Sellers Scholarship recipient in 2017.

He was part of the New South Wales squad at the U19 National Championships in 2016 and 2017 and was at the business end of the wicket-takers list on both occasions. NSW won the championship in 2017. In 2018 he was selected in a 28-man provisional Australian squad for the U19 Cricket World Cup but missed out on the final squad. However, he was selected in an U19 Australia squad to play in an ODI series against the U19 Pakistan side in Melbourne. He was graded by the Sydney University Cricket Club before moving to Tasmania and plays for Clarence District Cricket Club in the Cricket Tasmania Premier Competition.

Lawrence made his first-class debut against Western Australia at the WACA bagging 3/81 and 2/90. He chimed in with the bat too, with 39* (150) balls whilst sharing a 111-run stand with the then Australian Cricket Captain Tim Paine. He bagged his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, with 5/43 against Western Australia in October 2021. Summer 2023-24 was a standout for him, with 25 Sheffield Shield wickets with a best of 7-58 against NSW.

Seeking his first season in the UK in 2025, Lawrence will be an excellent pick up for any club seeking a new-ball, strike seamer that is a more than capable middle order Batsman for next summer.