Nathan Smith sees golden era for New Zealand pacers in 2026

New Zealand’s depth in fast bowling gives young quick Nathan Smith a chance to step up in 2026.

Generations of pace heroes Across every era, New Zealand has produced world-class fast bowlers who lead the attack with distinction. From the legendary Richard Hadlee dominating in the 1970s and 1980s to the recent Tim Southee-Trent Boult partnership, the tradition remains strong. The current generation stands out not just for one or two stars but for a rich pool of quick bowlers who have gained valuable experience across all three formats of the game. This depth became evident when the side toured Bangladesh despite key pacers missing due to commitments in leagues like the PSL and IPL. ## Nathan Smith’s breakthrough moment Twenty-seven-year-old Nathan Smith is one of the emerging pace talents making the most of limited opportunities since his international debut in 2024. He stepped into the spotlight during the Bangladesh tour, sharing new-ball duties for the first time in his short career. Smith combined with Blair Tickner to defend 247 runs in the opening ODI in Dhaka, capturing three wickets for 45 runs after claiming a hat-trick in the powerplay by removing Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Towhid Hridoy fell to Smith’s final delivery, while Tickner finished with four wickets to underline the attack’s strength. ## Competition fuels excellence Smith admits the current environment in New Zealand fast bowling is intensely competitive, with every seamer pushing to improve and secure their place. He highlights Blair Tickner’s return to form, marked by multiple four-wicket hauls, as evidence of the high standards everyone must meet. Will O’Rourke has also excelled in the powerplay, reinforcing the depth available. 'There is a lot of competition at the moment,' Smith says. 'Everyone that's coming in, it seems like they're having success as well. Like Tix [Tickner] had a bit of time out of the squad and he's taken a few four-fors and bowled really well lately. So there's a lot of competition. It's good, it brings out the best in all the seamers, I think. For New Zealand cricket to have that depth is great.' ## Following in great footsteps Smith grew up dreaming of bowling like Tim Southee, often mimicking his actions in backyard games as a child. He describes walking out to open the bowling in the ODI series against Bangladesh as a proud moment, echoing the leadership shown by his idol Southee and more recently, Matt Henry. Smith views Henry as a pivotal figure in the current attack and admires his versatility. 'Now we are in a different era. It is probably more of a Matt Henry era, I think at the moment,' he reflects. ## From swing bowler to match-winner Starting as an outswing specialist, Smith has developed into a bowler who can operate in multiple phases and take different roles within the team. He enjoys the responsibility of opening the bowling in domestic cricket and values the chance to contribute with both bat and ball. Smith acknowledges the influence of his coaches in shaping his game, especially during his early years in Otago. 'When I first started my career I was just a young outswing bowler, so I tried to replicate a bit of Tim Southee. He was someone I looked up to, so that was really cool to be able to play with him before he retired.' ## Adapting to world conditions Bowling in the heat of Dhaka presented a fresh challenge for Smith, who compares it starkly with familiar venues like Hagley Oval, known as the second bounciest ground in the world. He stresses the importance of quick adaptation to different pitches and conditions, drawing on experiences from tours to Pakistan, the UAE, and England. Smith also recalls playing in the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh back in 2016, which gave him early exposure to subcontinental conditions. 'It is absolutely chalk and cheese from bowling at the Hagley Oval,' he says. 'It is just about adapting as quick as possible and trying to be effective on each wicket. I think as an international cricketer you face a lot of different conditions.' ## Taking prized wickets early Despite limited opportunities since debuting two years ago, Smith has already dismissed top-tier batters including Joe Root twice, along with Babar Azam, Jos Buttler, and Sean Williams. He sees these scalps as important milestones in his growth. 'As a bowler you always want to get the best players out,' he states. From a small town in New Zealand called Oamaru, Smith understands the significance of performing against elite opposition and hopes to inspire others from similar backgrounds. ## Giving back to his community Oamaru, situated on the east coast of the South Island around 110 kilometers north of Dunedin, holds special meaning for Smith. He frequently visits Waitaki Boys School, where he spent his formative years, and stays in touch with teachers to mentor young students. 'There's a lot of kids in that school who don't know what's out there. They don't know the potential of what they can reach,' he explains. 'I keep in touch with a few teachers at that school and try to give back where I can. That's really important to me, because it's such a great community where I'm from.' ## Coaching influence shapes career Two key mentors have guided Smith’s development: current New Zealand coach Rob Walter and Wellington coach Shane Jurgensen, who also led Bangladesh between 2012 and 2014. Walter spotted Smith’s potential early at Otago in 2016 and gave him early opportunities to bat higher up the order in white-ball cricket. Smith values Walter’s ongoing support and the tactical guidance he receives from Jurgensen, whom he describes as emotionally invested in his progress. 'Rob Walter was my coach at Otago when I started my career in 2016,' Smith says. 'He was really influential in my formative years. He gave me a lot of responsibility with the bat and ball.' ## County cricket builds resilience With New Zealand set to tour England in June 2026, Smith is positioning himself for a key role in the pace attack. His stints in English county cricket over the past two years—where he claimed 57 wickets for Surrey and Worcestershire—have strengthened his physical endurance and tolerance for heavy workloads. Playing nearly every week in four-day games forced him to adapt quickly and build stamina. 'You play a four-day game starting every week, so it is a lot of bowling,' he notes. 'But once you are in it, it's almost like you just get a bit of rhythm and you go. It's really good for your body as you are building up tolerance.'