After Will Young’s outstanding batting performance in the just-finished three-match series, veteran cricketer Ian Smith of New Zealand has encouraged the national side to continue using him at number three.

Young was instrumental in the Kiwis’ recent 3-0 thumping of India in the subcontinental ICC World Test Championship series. The grizzled right-hander won Player of the Series after scoring 244 runs at an average of 48.80 over the course of the three games.

With a three-match series at home beginning later this month against England, which will be vital to their prospects, the series victory put New Zealand in the running to make it to the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s next year.

Smith wants to see Young given every chance to play moving forward, despite the pressure on selection from former captain and seasoned hitter Kane Williamson’s anticipated return to health for that series.

“Will Young must be in the top six, most likely at number three. In such difficult circumstances, I have seldom seen a more well-organized New Zealand batter. According to the ICC, Smith said on the New Zealand radio station SENZ that “he does not deserve to be left out, and neither should he be.”

Smith said that while determining who should be named Player of the Series, Young was an obvious standout, even though he did not reach a century in his six innings and was maybe overshadowed by Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel’s outstanding individual ball performances.

“I can guarantee you that Young was chosen unanimously by the TV commentary crew I was a member of, which was tasked with choosing the match and series awards. It would be a tribute to excluding someone who has only taken 10 wickets in an inning to leave him out of the starting lineup against England. Therefore, I’m not claiming it won’t occur. However, it shouldn’t,” Smith said.

“I’m satisfied when the great Sunil Gavaskar of India states that Young is his pick.That child seems to be quite well organized. He’s a player for the future, in my opinion. I’ll settle for that. Four of your top six are Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Young, and Ravindra Ravindra. The rest is up to you. I view it that way,” Smith said.

After serving as a commentator during New Zealand’s series victory over India, Smith has just returned to New Zealand. The former Black Caps wicketkeeper said it was an amazing experience to see the historic victory firsthand.

Nothing compared to seeing such whitewash firsthand in India. The whitewash, indeed. Possibly the greatest accomplishment in men’s cricket in our nation’s history and among the best in all sports. “It’s really difficult to do,” Smith said.