It's been a long time coming for Smith, with the 31-year-old first making her debut way back in 2018 and only becoming a permanent fixture for England in the shortest format late in 2024 after almost five years out of international cricket.
But a recent Player of the Series performance against the White Ferns, plus a strong showing in England's impressive victory over India in Bristol in the second match of their three-game series has seen Smith reach a new career-high rating and claim the premier position just days out from the start of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
It's been a long time coming for Smith, with the 31-year-old first making her debut way back in 2018 and only becoming a permanent fixture for England in the shortest format late in 2024 after almost five years out of international cricket.
But a recent Player of the Series performance against the White Ferns, plus a strong showing in England's impressive victory over India in Bristol in the second match of their three-game series has seen Smith reach a new career-high rating and claim the premier position just days out from the start of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
