Steve Smith (cricketer, born 1961)

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Steve Smith

| image =

| caption =

| country = Australia

| fullname = Steven Barry Smith

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1961|10|18}}

| birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

| death_date =

| death_place =

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling =

| role = Batsman

| international = true

| testdebutdate = 2 March

| testdebutyear = 1984

| testdebutagainst = West Indies

| testcap = 323

| lasttestdate = 28 April

| lasttestyear = 1984

| lasttestagainst = West Indies

| odidebutdate = 6 February

| odidebutyear = 1983

| odidebutagainst = New Zealand

| odicap = 75

| lastodidate = 10 February

| lastodiyear = 1985

| lastodiagainst = West Indies

| club1 = New South Wales

| year1 = {{nowrap|1981/82–1988/89}}

| club2 = Transvaal

| year2 = 1989/90–1990/91

| columns = 4

| column1 = Test

| matches1 = 3

| runs1 = 41

| bat avg1 = 8.19

| 100s/50s1 = 0/0

| top score1 = 12

| deliveries1 = –

| wickets1 = –

| bowl avg1 = –

| fivefor1 = –

| tenfor1 = –

| best bowling1 = –

| catches/stumpings1 = 1/–

| column2 = ODI

| matches2 = 28

| runs2 = 861

| bat avg2 = 39.13

| 100s/50s2 = 2/8

| top score2 = 117

| deliveries2 = 7

| wickets2 = 0

| bowl avg2 = –

| fivefor2 = –

| tenfor2 = –

| best bowling2 = –

| catches/stumpings2 = 8/–

| column3 = FC

| matches3 = 90

| runs3 = 5,248

| bat avg3 = 35.94

| 100s/50s3 = 12/26

| top score3 = 263

| deliveries3 = 115

| wickets3 = 1

| bowl avg3 = 77.00

| fivefor3 = 0

| tenfor3 = 0

| best bowling3 = 1/35

| catches/stumpings3 = 66/–

| column4 = LA

| matches4 = 89

| runs4 = 2,816

| bat avg4 = 38.57

| 100s/50s4 = 3/25

| top score4 = 117

| deliveries4 = 277

| wickets4 = 7

| bowl avg4 = 29.28

| fivefor4 = 0

| tenfor4 = 0

| best bowling4 = 2/16

| catches/stumpings4 = 20/–

| date = 12 December

| year = 2005

| source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/7656.html ESPNcricinfo

}}

Steven Barry Smith (born 18 October 1961) is a former Australian and New South Wales cricketer. He played in three Test matches and 28 One Day Internationals between 1983 and 1985, taking part in tours of Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and India.

He joined the Australian rebel tours to South Africa in 1985–86 and 1986–87. He made 1163 runs at 52.86 and was named one of South Africa's Cricketers of the Year.

Career

Steve Smith made his first grade debut for Bankstown when he was 17. His mother's cousin was test batsman Norm O'Neill, but he claimed a greater influence on his game was his father, who was a grade cricketer. He says a crucial stage in his development as a batsman came when he was 20 and moved to opener.{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EqlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PecDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2765,2140092&dq=steve-smith+norm-o-neill&hl=en |title=Steve's Running Hot |last=Dorothy |first=Goodwin |date=6 December 1981 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=22 July 2012 |via=Google Newspaper Archive}}

Scores of 162 and 215 not out at the beginning of the 1981–82 season saw him make his first class debut for New South Wales that summer. He was picked as 12th man for NSW against the touring West Indies{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126861008 |title=CRICKET Yallop is out, Wellham in Test squad |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=56 |issue=16,862 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=26 November 1981 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=34 |via=National Library of Australia}} then was selected to play in the team against Victoria. He made 35 in his first innings, taking part in a 77 run partnership with Rick McCosker.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126867003 |title=It's just a question of tactics now for NSW. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=21 December 1981 |accessdate=6 January 2016 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} Smith ended up getting 245 first class runs at an average of 40. Smith played two McDonald's Cup games for NSW that summer, scoring 3 and 0 (in the final). He batted down the order in these games.

Smith's good form continued the 1982–83 season. He was promoted to opener against Queensland and scored his maiden Shield century.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116445022 |title=Australian SOS interrupts a NSW run feast |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=57 |issue=17,283 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=23 January 1983 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}} He then made 263 against Victoria, including 117 in a session.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116446345 |title=CRICKET Opener rips Victoria. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 January 1983 |accessdate=6 January 2016 |page=40 |via=National Library of Australia}} These efforts saw him selected in Australia's ODI side, with Smith and Graeme Wood replacing John Dyson and Kepler Wessels.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116447230 |title=Australia drops three |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=57 |issue=17,293 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=2 February 1983 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=34 |via=National Library of Australia}}

=ODI Player=

Smith made 28 in his first ODI,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116448496 |title=CRICKET Pressure play puts Australia in finals |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=57 |issue=17,298 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=7 February 1983 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}} and 10 in his second,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116449039 |title=Back-to-form Hughes has New Zealand on the run |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=57 |issue=17,301 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=10 February 1983 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}} but then scored 117 off 130 balls in only his third game, against New Zealand.{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65354.html |title=2nd Final: Australia v New Zealand at Melbourne |date=13 February 1983 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}[http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/steve-smiths-century/2007/02/02/1169919534386.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 'Steve Smith's Century', The Age, 2 February 2007] accessed 22 July 2012 Captain Kim Hughes said ""Smithy is a young, exciting player. He kept the ball on the ground and ran well. It shows that you need good running between the wickets early on."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116449944 |title=CRICKET Hughes has last word as Australians storm home |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=57 |issue=17,305 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=14 February 1983 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}

For New South Wales, Smith played in the side that won the 1982–83 Shief final. He also scored a match winning 59 against Queensland in a McDonald's Cup game, helping his team recover from 6–104 to a 8–206 and a two wicket victory (he batted down the order as Rick McCosker wanted to open with John Dyson).{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116373699 |title=CRICKET Smith lifts NSW past Qld into Cup final |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=57 |issue=17,333 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=14 March 1983 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}} He also He

These efforts led to him being picked in the Australian squad to tour Sri Lanka in 1983.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116371545 |title=CRICKET In-form Yallop gains tour place |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=57 |issue=17,322 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=3 March 1983 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}} He played two ODIs, scoring 1 and 0, and 21 and 33 in a touring game. Smith was overlooked for selection in Australia's 1983 World Cup squad in favour of Wood and Wessels.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131842417 |title=Trevor Chappell only surprise for Cup |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=57 |issue=17,386 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=6 May 1983 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In October 1983 Bob Simpson called Smith "the best young batsman to emerge in NSW for 20 years" and "the next Doug Walters", a claim which Ian Chappell called "ludicrous", urging Smith to be himself.{{cite news|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=9 October 1983|page=72|title=Untimely words add to the pressure|first=Ian|last=Chappell}}

Smith scored consistently throughout the 1983–84 domestic season, making 480 first class runs at an average of 43.63. He established himself as an excellent one day international batsman, scoring 106 against Pakistan, which won him the Man of the Match Award. " "It was concentration all the way, no one was easy, I just had to stay with it," Smith said. "Kim Hughes said if you get to 30 or 40, you will get your ton and 1 wanted to prove him right."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116386643 |title=Smith's crisp 106 crushes Pakistan. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=26 January 1984 |accessdate=6 January 2016 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65364.html |title=10th Match: Australia v Pakistan at Sydney |date=25 January 1984 |publisher=Cricinfo}}

Smith also made two half centuries against the West Indies – scores of 55{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116387255 |title=CRICKET Australia learns a fourth lesson |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=58 |issue=17,655 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=30 January 1984 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}} and 50.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116389159 |title=Easy win to Windies in first WSC final Hughes blames loss on contract dispute |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=58 |issue=17,665 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=9 February 1984 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} He was injured during the next ODI while diving to stop a run, and did not bat.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116389582 |title=Dramatic tie in WSC final |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=58 |issue=17,668 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=12 February 1984 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=21 (SUNDAY EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}}

=Test career=

In January 1984, Smith was picked to tour the West Indies.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116385438 |title=CRICKET Selectors stick with proven performers |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=58 |issue=17,645 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=20 January 1984 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} There was some doubt he would be able to go after dislocating his shoulder during the one day finals – Smith missed the 3rd ODI final and David Boon was put on standby to replace him{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TJ5WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FOcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2120,6069210&dq=steve-smith+cricket&hl=en |first=Brian |last=Mossop |title=Tour Pair in Doubt |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=12 February 1984 |accessdate=22 July 2012|via=Google Newspaper Archive}} – but Smith recovered in time.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116390033 |title=WEST INDIES CRICKET TOUR Smith and Ritchie cleared to go. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=14 February 1984 |accessdate=6 January 2016 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Smith started the tour of the West Indies brilliantly, scoring a century in each innings in his first match, a draw against Guyana – the first time that feat had been accomplished in that country in ten years. (He was dropped three times for his first century, on 15, 40 and 62, and six times in his second){{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V6BWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RecDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5818,7216394&dq=roger-woolley&hl=en |first=Peter |last=McFarline |title=Lawson troubled by sore back |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 February 1984 |accessdate=23 July 2012|via=Google Newspaper Archive}}{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44491.html |title=Guyana v Australians, Australia in West Indies 1983/84, Venue Bourda, Georgetown on 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th February 1984 (4-day match)|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116392617 |title=Australia 301 ahead Smith hits 116 in hint to selectors. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 February 1984 |accessdate=6 January 2016 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} He won the man of the match award.

Smith followed this up with 60 in the 1st one day international, the highest Australian innings.{{cite news |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44496.html |title=West Indies v Australia, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (1st ODI), Venue Albion Sports Complex |date=29 February 1984|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}

Smith's good form with the bat, along with Roger Woolley's poor work behind the stumps in tour games, prompted the selectors to pick Smith as opener to partner Kepler Wessels and move Wayne B. Phillips down the order and play him as wicketkeeper. Smith's first test was not a memorable one for him – he scored 3 and 12, and was dismissed twice by Joel Garner.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44504.html |title=West Indies v Australia, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (1st Test) Venue Bourda, Georgetown on 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th March 1984 |accessdate=3 October 2012|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}

However he followed this with a useful knock of 27 in the second ODI, batting at number three, which helped set up an Australian victory.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44532.html |title=West Indies v Australia, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (2nd ODI), Venue Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain on 14th March 1984 (50-over match)|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}} Smith was meant to play in the second test, but fell ill with a stomach virus and was replaced at the last minute by Dean Jones.

Smith recovered in time for the next tour game, against Barbados, where he hit 66 in the second innings.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44548.html |title=Barbados v Australians, Australia in West Indies 1983/84, Venue Kensington Oval, Bridgetown on 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th March 1984|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}} He was picked in the 3rd test but failed twice again, with scores of 10 and 7, getting out both times to Malcolm Marshall.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44551.html |title=West Indies v Australia, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (3rd Test), Venue Kensington Oval, Bridgetown on 30th, 31st March, 1st, 3rd, 4th April 1984|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}

Smith was dropped for the 4th test, a decision considered a surprise as he and Wayne Phillips were by then the only specialist openers left in the squad (Graeme Wood and Wessels had been injured.){{cite news|first=Peter|last=McFarline|title=Test team changes a blunder|newspaper=The Age|date=9 April 1984|page=29}}

Smith hit a vein of form, scoring 127 against the Windward Islands.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44559.html |title=Windward Islands v Australians, Australia in West Indies 1983/84, Venue Mindoo Phillip Park, Castries on 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th April 1984|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125004166 |title=CRICKET Smith and Matthews make Test claims |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=58 |issue=17,732 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=16 April 1984 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=21 |via=National Library of Australia}} After 6 in the 3rd ODi he made 84 against Jamaica,{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44565.html |title=Jamaica v Australians, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 Venue Jarrett Park, Montego Bay on 23rd April 1984|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}} and 50 in the 4th ODI.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44571.html |title=West Indies v Australia, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (4th ODI) Venue Sabina Park, Kingston on 26th April 1984|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125004166 |title=CRICKET Smith and Matthews make Test claims. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=16 April 1984 |accessdate=6 January 2016 |page=21 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Smith was recalled to the test team for the final test. He made 9 in the first innings and was injured (a broken finger) so unable to bat in the second.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/44/44581.html |title=West Indies v Australia Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (5th Test) Venue Sabina Park, Kingston on 28th, 29th, 30th April, 2nd May 1984|work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}} Journalist Peter McFarline, summarising the tour, said Smith "should benefit greatly from the experience of the trip" despite "severe difficulties outside the off stump... He was a willing worker and the film's best outfielder. At this stage a definite candidate for Country Cups but should graduate to the top class in time."{{cite news|first=Peter|last=McFarline|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 May 1984|page=1|title=The trouble with Hughes' team – not enough heroes}}

In July 1984 Smith was selected on in the Australian squad to tour India in 1984.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127214577 |title=Surprises in Australian cricket contract list and squad for India tour Hookes, Matthews dropped |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=58 |issue=17,824 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=17 July 1984 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}} During the series he scored a half century and impressed Sunil Gavaskar with the quality of his fielding.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136920402 |title=CRICKET Another win in India |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=59 |issue=17,906 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=7 October 1984 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=1 (SPORT) |via=National Library of Australia}}

Smith started the 1984–85 domestic summer well, scoring 73 in a McDonald's Cup game against WA. He was unable to work his way back into the test team, failing to score a first class century all summer. However he played several one day games for Australia over the 1984–85 season, making three half centuries, and was only let go from the team due to injury.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122483155 |title=Smith to miss tomorrow's cricket final. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=11 February 1985 |accessdate=6 January 2016 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} Highlights include an innings of 73 off 73 balls against Sri Lanka.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122481977 |title=CRICKET Smith, Phillips belt hapless Sri Lanka |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=59 |issue=18,026 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=4 February 1985 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} He also scored 73 for NSW in a game against Wellington.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122477017 |title=Holland back in the limelight |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=59 |issue=17,998 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=7 January 1985 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Smith's last ODI for Australia saw him score 54 against the West Indies. He injured his hand fielding.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122483155 |title=Smith to miss tomorrow's cricket final |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=59 |issue=18,033 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=11 February 1985 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} He was replaced in the Australian squaad by Kim Hughes.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122483466 |title=CRICKET Aussies' morale problem |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=59 |issue=18,034 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=12 February 1985 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}} Smith's injury meant he missed the World Championship of Cricket but he recovered to play in the 1984–85 Sheffield Shield final. Smith made a key contribution, scoring 76.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122503700 |title=Smith reminds the selectors. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=17 March 1985 |accessdate=6 January 2016 |page=6 Section: SPORT |via=National Library of Australia}} However Smith was overlooked for the 1985 Ashes.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122504540 |title=Smith and 'the Motivator' to miss Ashes tour |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=59 |issue=18,071 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=21 March 1985 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}}

South Africa

Smith had been approached by Graham Yallop during the India tour to see if he was interested in touring South Africa with an unofficial Australian XI. After he missed selection in the Australian sides to tour Sharjah or England in early 1985, Smith asked to be considered for the team going to South Africa. He signed to play for two seasons, 1985–86 and 1986–87.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122516227 |title=How and why Ali Bacher put the rebel tour together |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=59 |issue=18,157 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=16 June 1985 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=46 |via=National Library of Australia}}

When the news of the tour broke, tour organiser Bruce Francis claims Smith was one of several players Kerry Packer wanted to buy back into official Australian cricket, along with Dirk Wellham, Wayne B. Phillips and Graeme Wood. Packer succeeded in persuading those three not to go to South Africa, but not Smith.Francis p150 Francis said he thought Smith wanted to go on the tour partly for the money – $200,000 after tax – but also because it gave him the chance to show he was not a one-day specialist.Francis p133

During the first South African tour Smith only played one "test", due to injury, but made the most of it, scoring a century in the first innings.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/46/46798.html |title=South Africa v Australian XI, Australian XI in South Africa 1985/86 Venue New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th, 21st January 1986 (5-day match) |work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}} He also made two half centuries in the one day internationals.

During the second tour, Smith scored centuries in the 3rd{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/48/48216.html |title=South Africa v Australian XI, Australian XI in South Africa 1986/87, Venue Kingsmead, Durban on 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd January 1987 |work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}} and 4th unofficial test matches.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/48/48271.html |title=South Africa v Australian XI Australian XI in South Africa 1986/87 Venue St George's Park, Port Elizabeth on 30th, 31st January, 2nd, 3rd, 4th February 1987 |work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}} He scored more first class runs on that trip than any other Australian batsman.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/RSA/Australian_XI_in_South_Africa_1986-87/f_Australian_XI_Batting.html |title=First-class batting and fieldiong for Australian XI, Australian XI in South Africa 1986/87 |work=CricketArchive|url-access=subscription}}

=Return to Australia=

Smith resumed his career in Australia. In December 1987 he and fellow tourist Steve Rixon were called to the New South Wales team. "I definitely took my cricket career into my own hands by going to South Africa," said Smith. "Still I believe I have quite a few years of cricket left in me and it is nice to be back in the side."{{cite news|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=1 December 1987|page=52|title=Two NSW rebels recalled for shield}}

Smith was unable to recapture his previous form, with a highest first class score of 84 over two summers. He moved to South Africa and played for Transvaal for two seasons, which meant he was banned from first class cricket in Australia for ten years.

Smith's ban was lifted in August 1991 when South Africa was readmitted to work cricket.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122376040 |title=S. Africa rebels ban off |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=65 |issue=20,570 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=7 August 1991 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=38 |via=National Library of Australia}} He tried to get back in the New South Wales team but was unsuccessful and in October 1992 declared himself unavailable for state selection, citing work and family commitments.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126950319 |title=IN BRIEF Slater ready to wrap title |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=67 |issue=21,009 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=20 October 1992 |accessdate=22 May 2024 |page=23 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Post-playing career

Smith ran an indoor cricket centre, became a batting coach for Bankstown as well as a New South Wales selector.

References

Bibliography

{{cite book |last=Francis |first=Bruce |title=Guilty? Bob Hawke or Kim Hughes? |year=1989 |publisher=B. Francis |isbn=9780731653881}}

External links

{{cricinfo|id=7656}}

Category:1961 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australia One Day International cricketers

Category:Australia Test cricketers

Category:New South Wales cricketers

Category:Gauteng cricketers

Category:Australian cricketers

Category:Cricketers from Sydney

Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen