Ray Smith (cricketer)

Ray Smith
Personal information
Full name
Raymond Smith
Born(1914-08-10)10 August 1914
Boreham, Essex, United Kingdom
Died21 February 1996(1996-02-21) (aged 81)
Kidderminster, Worcestershire, United Kingdom
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight arm fast medium; Off break
RoleAll-rounder
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1934–1956Essex
Career statistics
Competition FC
Matches 445
Runs scored 12041
Batting average 20.27
100s/50s 8/51
Top score 147
Balls bowled 86610
Wickets 1350
Bowling average 30.56
5 wickets in innings 73
10 wickets in match 10
Best bowling 8/63
Catches/stumpings 192/0
Source: Cricinfo, 20 July 2013
For the Leicestershire left-arm spin bowler, see Raymond Smith (English cricketer).

Ray Smith (10 August 1914 – 21 February 1996) was an English cricketer. He played for Essex between 1934 and 1956.[1]

Career

Smith was a prominent all-rounder in the post-war Essex cricket team, alongside his cousin Peter.[2] He was known for his dynamic bowling, often initiating the attack with rapid in-swingers, and then switching to less effective off-breaks.[2] Smith's batting was sporadically powerful, with three of his eight first-class centuries recorded as the fastest in their respective seasons.[2] Notably harsh on off-spinners, he once left bowler Jim Laker exasperated.[2] Contrary to fast-bowling norms, Smith's appeals were delivered in a soft, aristocratic voice.[2]

Retiring in 1956, he missed the introduction of one-day cricket but had an accomplished career as a coach at Felsted and ran a restaurant outside Birmingham.[2] His final home match saw Essex secure its first victory over Yorkshire since the war, with Smith scoring the winning runs.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Ray Smith". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Obituaries in 1996". Wisden. 6 December 2005.


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