Ray Smith (cricketer)

Ray Smith

Personal information
Full name	Raymond Smith
Born	(1914-08-10)10 August 1914 Boreham, Essex, United Kingdom
Died	21 February 1996(1996-02-21) (aged 81) Kidderminster, Worcestershire, United Kingdom
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right arm fast medium; Off break
Role	All-rounder
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1934–1956	Essex
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

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

Career

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

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. His final home match saw Essex secure its first victory over Yorkshire since the war, with Smith scoring the winning runs.

External links

• Ray Smith at ESPNcricinfo
• Ray Smith at CricketArchive (subscription required)