Brothers share international cricket success

Two former St Benedict’s College boys are flying the country’s flag high.

Brothers, Matthew (20) and Nicolas (22) Smith have recently recently returned from a successful cricket season in the United Kingdom (UK).

The NEWS/EXPRESS caught up with the pair at the Jeppe Quondam Cricket Club (JQCC), where they play cricket for the club’s premier league side.

This season was Matthew’s second time in the UK, as he also played in 2014.

During his time in the UK, the 20-year-old played 17 league games for his team Linden Park and amassed 868 runs in Division 1.

He said while abroad, he was able to watch Arsenal play live as well as go out in London.

Matthew said he started playing cricket when he was a child. His highlights thus far include making the Gauteng U/17 side.

“My goal, however, is to play in the county championships in England,” said Matthew.

The pair said they are both sportsmen at heart. They coach cricket at their former school where they were captains in 2013.

When not playing cricket, the brothers said they can be found at the gym or carrying out coaching duties.

Popularly known as Nico, the 22-year-old brother said his highlights included winning the 2013/2014 Season Player of the Year award in the Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB) league.

After matriculating, Nico enrolled at the University of Johannesburg. He left a year later to pursue a career in cricket.

While in the UK, he played for Aston Hall, contributing to the team’s win of this year’s league installment.

Nico said he and his brother are natural sportsmen.

“We love being out in the sun playing sport. We have played rugby, soccer and golf as well. Sport is who we are,” he said.

Come 2016, only Matthew will return to the UK to play for the Bromley Cricket Club in the Kent Premier League.

The brothers travelled to the UK with their fellow JQCC player, Ari Karvelas, who played for the Kiveton Park Cricket Club.

He is in Australia playing cricket for the current season.