M. J. K. Smith

Infobox Historic Cricketer


nationality = English
country = England
country abbrev = Eng
name = MJK Smith
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Right-handed batsman (RHB)
bowling style = n/a
tests = 50
test runs = 2278
test bat avg = 31.63
test 100s/50s =3/11
test top score = 121
test balls = 214
test wickets = 1
test bowl avg = 128.00
test 5s = 0
test 10s = 0
test best bowling = 1/10
test catches/stumpings = 53/0
FCs = 637
FC runs = 39832
FC bat avg = 41.84
FC 100s/50s = 69/241
FC top score = 204
FC balls = 487
FC wickets = 5
FC bowl avg = 61.00
FC 5s = 0
FC 10s = 0
FC best bowling = 1/0
FC catches/stumpings = 595/0
debut date = 5 June
debut year = 1958
last date = 18 July
last year = 1972
source = http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/ENG/S/SMITH_MJK_01001077/

Michael John Knight "Mike" Smith, often referred to by his initials M J K, is an English cricket player. Born on 30 June 1933 in Leicester and educated at Stamford School and Oxford University, he played for Leicestershire from 1951 until 1955, and Warwickshire between 1956 and 1975.

A bespectacled right-handed batsman, Smith came to prominence playing for Oxford University, scoring centuries in three consecutive Varsity matches against Cambridge, from 1954 to 1956. Appointed captain of Warwickshire in 1957, he was one of the heaviest scorers in first-class cricket for the next 10 years, with 3,249 runs in 1959 as his highest aggregate. He remained as Warwickshire captain until 1967, retired, but reappeared in 1970 and stayed until 1975.

Smith captained England in 25 of his 50 Test match appearances, yet in a period rich in batting talent he was rarely guaranteed a place. Uncertainty against fast bowling, particularly early in an innings, was exposed by a series of low scores in the mid 1960s, and Smith faced considerable press criticism, unusual for the time.

He also represented England at rugby union against Wales in 1956. He remains England's last double international to date in major sports, in terms of his last appearance (1972). Arthur Milton, a double international in football and cricket, is later in terms of his first appearance in a second sport, making his test debut six weeks after Smith.

In recent years he has been chairman of Warwickshire County Cricket Club (1991-2003) and an ICC match referee (1991-1996). His son Neil Smith followed in his footsteps by captaining Warwickshire and playing, albeit only in One Day Internationals, for England.

External links

* [http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/PLAYERS/ENG/S/SMITH_MJK_01001077/ Cricinfo Player Profile : Michael John Knight Smith]