John Smith (Lancashire and Yorkshire cricketer)

John Smith was a first class cricketer. He was a left handed batsman and left arm round arm fast bowler who usually fielded at slip or point. Although he was born in Yeadon in Leeds in 1833, he made his first class debut for Lancashire CCC in their second first class match against Middlesex CCC at Islington, where he opened the batting scoring 23 and 21. He then played two matches for his native Yorkshire CCC in the same year before returning to Lancashire for whom he played occasionally until 1869.

In 8 first class games he scored 181 runs at 12.92, with a best of 40 not out, and took 18 wickets at 20.11 with a best of 4 for 46.

He played as a young professional in Scotland for Hawick, Melrose and Kelso and Langham and later appeared for Worcestershire where he later became groundsman. He also stood once as a first-class umpire, in 1865. [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/32/32871/Umpire_in_First-Class_Matches.html] After a period of army service he was known in Yeadon as "Soldier Johnny" but at Worcester became known as "The Doctor" for the quality of the pitches he prepared.

His son Douglas James Smith played for Somerset CCC, Worcestershire CCC and Glamorgan in their pre first-class days while another, William Smith played for Somerset CCC, MCC and Wiltshire. John Smith died in Worcester in 1909.

External links

* [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/32/32871/32871.html Cricket Archive]
* [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/20870.html Cricinfo]