All-rounder Jade Smith is hoping to block out any external noise in order to focus on his own personal strengths and attributes and to naturally allow his performances to follow, particularly in light of the upcoming Under-19 World Cup to be held in the West Indies.

Smith, who hails from Port Elizabeth and had attended Grey High School, has proved to be a prospective opening batter and right-handed off-breaker, but swaying between these contributions, especially in terms of preparation, may not always be as simple as it seems.

“I think balancing everything is probably the key,” Smith told Cricket Fanatics Magazine, “[while] trying to adjust and focus on certain things when working on certain exercises and drills.

“I’m not one to bat ‘long’; if I feel good and like I’m ready and happy with the session – and if it takes longer than I normally do then so be it – but I just try to make sure I’m prepped, [with a focus] on the next game and the tournament I’m going into.

“Everyone wants to do well. It’s an U19 World Cup so everyone expects you to perform. For me, I just want to play my game and not focus too much on what’s happening on the outside,” he said of his personal ambitions for the tournament. 

With the majority of the squad having been in Grade 11 or Matric last year, the preparation for the world showpiece so early the following year had to tread careful waters, and Smith lauded the management for their efforts in getting the ball rolling.

Again, this was another matter of achieving equilibrium, not just for Smith, but for all the youngsters involved.

“The set-up is really nice – I enjoy it, especially the management. The management have done a lot for us in terms of preparation.

“We had a few games during exams, and [them] making sure that our studies come first before actually playing cricket was a big thing for everybody, especially as a youngster. I think they did really well with that.

“I personally enjoy the environment and we have a good bunch of boys in our group, [whom] all get along with one another,” Smith said, adding that he’d fitted into the team “fairly easily” since “I make new friends very quickly”.

“Most of us played with or against each other, so it wasn’t a hard thing to do, I guess,” he continued.

Smith foresees the journey to the West Indies as a daunting, yet exciting prospect.

“Everyone hasn’t been away for a very long time, so to go two months without seeing your family, who you see basically everyday for most boys, can be tough. I know our families are going to miss us.

“But there’s another family we’ve created in our group, and with the management by our sides to help us it’s going to be fun. I think we’re going to enjoy it and it’s going to be very exciting.”

Referring to the conditions, which would pose as a foreign and unknown territory for most of the sides, Smith said it was adaptation that would play the most pivotal role.

“That’s going to be a very exciting challenge for every team,” he said. “I think the teams that adapt to every pitch, because we’re obviously playing on different islands, are going to do very well.

“It’s going to be interesting. I’m excited and I can adjust very quickly. I read the game very well so we’ll see how that goes.”

Smith said the team “sees everyone as a threat”, especially after what they’d witnessed in the recent senior T20 World Cup where Pakistan and Australia had defied several odds to reach the final.

“Anything can happen in cricket. It’s a tough sport. If a team pulls up on the day they can really hurt you, so we’ll see how it goes.”

The SA U19 side is grouped in Pool B alongside India, Ireland and Uganda. They are set to kick-start their campaign against India in Guyana on January 15.