Nicholas Pooran says T20 World Cup-bound Jason Smith has talent and potential, but also a lot to learn.

The big-hitting 31-year-old batsman was a surprise inclusion in the Proteas’ 15-man squad for next month’s showpiece in India and Sri Lanka.

With just three ODI and two T20I caps, Smith was preferred ahead of the more experienced Tristan Stubbs, who has played 42 T20Is and is a regular on the IPL circuit but has struggled for form recently at international level.

On Tuesday, Smith smashed 22 off seven balls to help MI Cape Town beat the Joburg Super Kings in a rain-reduced 12-overs-a-side shootout at Newlands.

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Pooran, who was named Man of the match for his own quickfire 33 off 15, was full of praise for the Proteas newcomer.

“I see a lot of talent there and potential. He hits the ball like a West Indian, for sure, but there is a lot for him to learn as well.

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“For him, the most important thing is to learn as fast as possible. He just got selected for the World Cup, heading into Indian conditions which are really favourable for him with a lot of spin going to be bowled.

“He has everything that can make him do well in those conditions. There is a lot of talent there and we’re just really happy to see him smashing it for us. Our job is to give him that freedom to express himself without any pressure.”

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