Upminster's 2022 and 2024 overseas star JJ Smuts is heading to the T20 World Cup.............with Italy!!! The Azzurri qualified for the 2026 competition for the very first time by finishing second in the European Qualifying Group last July, beating Scotland in the process, and they announced their squad on Saturday for the tournament which begins early next month in India and Sri Lanka

JJ has been selected as part of a 15 man squad that will be skippered by Derbyshire's Wayne Madsen, with former Canadian international John Davison as head coach. Ireland legend Kevin O'Brien is also part of the coaching team along with former Warwickshire all-rounder Dougie Brown. JJ, who has previously played ODI and T20 cricket for South Africa, qualifies to play for Italy through his wife's heritage, and his experience at all levels of the game will be crucial for a side making their debut at the top level and facing tough games against England, West Indies, Bangladesh and Nepal.  

In his two seasons at Upminster JJ amassed more than 1,700 runs and claimed 76 wickets and was hit a with members on and off the pitch. Always willing to give his time to chat to members about all things cricket, JJ was kind enough to give us his thoughts on the forthcoming tournament and how Italy may get on.

We didn't know of your Italian connection JJ.  How did your selection come about??
Italy reached out to me a few years ago about playing for them, but with my schedule it never really worked out.  But now it has kind of all just worked out for the best and is the right time for me and my family.

Have you met the rest of the squad at any training camps or played with any of the squad in the past at all??
I have met everyone.  I had a training camp with the boys last November and December.  I have played against Wayne (Madsen) before as well. It's a great bunch of guys.

When will you be meeting up for the tournament and what are the plans for warm up games??
We've all now assembled in Dubai.  We play against Ireland in three T20 international games on 23rd, 25th and 26th of January as our warm-up games.  Then we leave for India on the last day of the month.

Group C for the tournament is an interesting one.  Are there any games the side will be targeting for victory??
We have a tough group, but we believe we can compete with everyone.  It will be a great experience for all of us.

You face England on February 16th at the iconic Eden Gardens.  How much are you looking forward to that one??
I can't wait for the game against England, it's always a great game against them.  To play in Kolkata at Eden Gardens is a dream come true, I'm very excited.  Hopefully it will go well for us.  Maybe we can cause the biggest upset of the tournament!!

Everyone at Upminster wishes JJ and the rest of the Italian squad the very best of luck for the tournament.