For a long time, Smits struggled to break into the side with Reinout Scholte keeping him out, but he has improved significantly enough since his rival's retirement for him to be named as the sole wicketkeeper in Netherlands' World Cup squad, and vice captain too. His batting threatened to keep him out of the side but the selectors have kept faith and this will be his second World Cup. He lists Jack Russell as his favourite player and the victory over Namibia in the 2003 tournament in South Africa as his career highlight. He possesses a steady pair of hands and is an excellent motivator in the field. A popular member of the squad, he has plenty of tricks up his sleeve in the dressing room and is constantly initiating banter, although with own nicknames such as Piglet, he takes as much as he gives.For a long time, Smits struggled to break into the side with Reinout Scholte keeping him out, but he has improved significantly enough since his rival's retirement for him to be named as the sole wicketkeeper in Netherlands' World Cup squad, and vice captain too. His batting threatened to keep him out of the side but the selectors have kept faith and this will be his second World Cup. He lists Jack Russell as his favourite player and the victory over Namibia in the 2003 tournament in South Africa as his career highlight. He possesses a steady pair of hands and is an excellent motivator in the field. A popular member of the squad, he has plenty of tricks up his sleeve in the dressing room and is constantly initiating banter, although with own nicknames such as Piglet, he takes as much as he gives.