Nathan Smith has voiced his international ambitions after a string of stellar showings for Worcestershire.

The all-rounder revealed that representing New Zealand and playing county cricket were the two goals he had growing up.

Smith is currently the leading wicket-taker for Worcestershire in the Vitality County Championship.

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He said: "I had two goals growing up.

"One was to play for New Zealand, the other was to play county cricket.

"I’m also a purist of the game, I love the long format.

"That is probably where the interest has come from."

Smith acknowledged that his performances for the Pears could pave the way for his selection for the Black Caps.

He said: "It is only going to help me regarding New Zealand if I do well.

"There are some Test and one-day teams being named later in the year so hopefully I will find myself in some of those.

“But, at the moment it’s about making the most of this opportunity and have a good crack at it and doing well for Worcestershire."

Smith recalled his previous visit to New Road during the 2019 season, saying: "I’d played cricket with Hamish Rutherford back home, came and watched a game at New Road, watched him play for Worcestershire.

“I have followed Worcestershire ever since and then that winter Ben Cox came and played for Otago Volts in the Super Smash so there was a connection there.”

Although he is yet to break into the senior side, Smith gained experience on the international stage at the Under-19 World Cup in 2016,

He said: "In that Under-19 World Cup side I played alongside Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Josh Clarkson.

"It was a really good team and we seriously underperformed."

Toward the end of the interview, Smith reflected on his early career, saying: "Looking back on it now, I knew absolutely nothing about cricket at all.

"I literally just knew how to run in and bowl and out swinger and I was so raw."

These experiences, however, have not detracted from Smith's hopes for the future.

He concluded: "I’m stronger, I’ve got overs and games under the belt now which have served me well in recent experiences.

"Best years hopefully to come."