Lanning herself recently told the BBC that she hopes the Hundred will develop the women’s game in the UK – and the development of Wales’ young talent was highlighted further recently when three players were selected for the Western Storm Academy.
Selected alongside Smale were leg-spinner Sara Phillips and wicketkeeper-batsman Bethan Gammon.
Gammon, currently a second-year student at Nottingham Trent University, believes having a Hundred franchise in Wales is already giving women and girls’ cricket a much bigger platform.
“It’s huge for us just looking at the way the men’s and women’s squads are being announced and promoted at the same time and on the same level,” said former Rougemont school pupil Gammon.
“That sends a really strong message and having a franchise in Cardiff can only encourage more girls to get involved.”
Gammon also believes that her selection into the Storm Academy at the age of 19 reflects the increasing opportunities that are available for female players.
“There can be a bit of a trend where if you haven’t made it into an academy or pathway by the age of 15 or 16, you never will,” she said.
“I trialled for Storm for the past two years or so and didn’t make it, so I’m really relieved and happy to have got in.
“It just shows that there’s no age limit now on when you can get picked for squads because there are so many more options available.”
For both Gammon and Smale, playing the sport they love as a job has become a much more realistic ambition.
“It’s really exciting, and I just hope signing a professional contract is not too far away,” said Smale.
“It’s a good thing that it’s possible to do it as a job now, because there is literally nothing else I can see myself doing!”
As a university student, Gammon’s situation is slightly different but she welcomes the fact that she has more options in her future.
“I feel like I am in a really strong position because I can get my degree, and further my cricketing ambitions too by having more frequent training with Storm,” explained Gammon.
“I have more of a choice now – so do all young players. It’s no longer about choosing between getting a job and playing cricket. They can be the same thing.”
Aimee Rees, who coaches Wales Women’s senior side and works as the head of the women and girls’ pathway, says that increased financial investment and having a dedicated pathway for young female players to follow has been instrumental in the players’ development.
“It’s developed so much recently thanks to the investment from Cricket Wales and now Glamorgan,” said former batter Rees.
“We’ve been able to get more access to facilities, get more coaches on board and go on some overseas tours. I’m really proud to see the girls’ hard work paying off.”
She also emphasises the importance of Wales’ relationship with Western Storm, adding that with two organisations working closely together, the standard of cricket in Wales is only going to get stronger.
“We have to make sure that our young players can get as many opportunities as possible and that means they have use of the best facilities, the best coaches and playing with and against the best players in the region.”
The presence of world-class players in Cardiff will also have a big part to play in growing the profile of women’s cricket.
“Having world-leading players like Meg Lanning playing in our own backyard is the pinnacle for us,” says Rees.
“I don’t think there’s a better advert for Welsh women’s cricket than that – to have international stars playing against our local talent.
“With the games being double-headers with the men’s teams as well, I hope it can also appeal women’s cricket to a wider audience, as well as the young girls we hope to inspire.”
Whether full crowds will be allowed into venues is yet to be confirmed, but there is no doubt that women’s cricket in Wales is heading for its biggest summer yet.