It is always a good sign in many ways when the Worcestershire Cricket Society evenings are coming to an end – because it means the new cricket season is nearly upon us!
But members should be in for a treat with the penultimate speaker of the current winter programe this evening (February 14) in David Smith.
No, not the former Worcestershire – and mainly Surrey – opening batsman but the ex Warwickshire batsman and former chief executive of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
Jesmond born David played for the Northern Under-15s alongside a certain Ian Botham and had trials with Northamptonshire and Warwickshire before joining the Bears.
He played for our Midlands rivals for 12 years after starting in an era when the top six consisted of Neil Abberley, Dennis Amiss, John Jameson, Alvin, Kallicharran, Rohan Kanhai and MJK (Mike) Smith.
Smith scored 1,000 runs in 1975 – a feat he managed on four occasions including a season's best 1,582 in 1980 – and was awarded his County Cap aged 21.
He often opened alongside Amiss and in his career scored 8,734 first class runs at an average of 27.55 with nine centuries and 55 fifties and 2,772 List A runs.
David,now aged 60, served on the Warwickshire committee for nine years and then had spells as CEO with Leicestershire from 2008-2010 and Northamptonshire from 2012-2014.
He comes from a cricketing family with father KD (Ken) Smith having played regularly for Leicestershire in 1950-51 and brother Paul Smith a member of the Warwickshire side from 1982-1996.
Father-in-law Alan Oakman played for Sussex for 21 years and featured in two Tests for England – including Jim Laker's 19 wickets at Old Trafford in 1956 – before becoming Warwickshire coach for 17 years.
A reminder that non Society members can attend this evening's meeting for a charge of £3.
