New Zealand cricket legend Ian Smith has strongly advocated for batter Will Young to secure the No. 3 position in the national Test team following his exceptional performance in a recent three-match series against India. Young was instrumental in New Zealand’s clean sweep, scoring 244 runs with an average of 48.80 and earning the Player of the Series title.
The series win bolstered New Zealand’s standing in the ICC World Test Championship, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the final at Lord’s next year. With an upcoming three-match series against England, a fit Kane Williamson may return to the lineup, potentially challenging the team’s selection decisions. However, Smith insists Young deserves a place at No. 3.
“Will Young must be in the top six, likely at No. 3. I’ve rarely seen a New Zealand batter handle subcontinental conditions as well as he did. He shouldn’t be left out,” Smith told SENZ radio, as quoted by the ICC.
Although Young did not reach a century during the series, his consistency with the bat stood out, even as bowlers Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel impressed with individual performances. Smith revealed that Young’s selection as Player of the Series was a unanimous decision among the commentary team.
“It would be like leaving out someone who just took 10 wickets in an innings. It could happen, but it shouldn’t,” Smith remarked. He added that Sunil Gavaskar’s high praise for Young solidified his view: “If Gavaskar believes in him, that’s enough for me. Young is a player for the future.”
Smith, who recently returned from India after commentating on the series, expressed pride in witnessing New Zealand’s rare achievement. “Seeing New Zealand pull off that whitewash on Indian soil was unforgettable. It’s one of the greatest accomplishments in men’s cricket, possibly even in New Zealand sport,” he concluded.
