David Smith (Derbyshire cricketer)

David Henry Kilner Smith (29 June 1940 – 17 December 2021) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Derbyshire between 1965 and 1970 and for Orange Free State between 1976 and 1978.

David Smith

Personal information
Full name	David Henry Kilner Smith
Born	(1940-06-29)29 June 1940 Shipley, Yorkshire
Died	17 December 2021(2021-12-17) (aged 81) Harrogate, Yorkshire
Batting	Left-handed
Bowling	Right-arm off-break Right-arm medium
Role	Opening batsman, occasional wicket-keeper
Relations	Lawrence Smith (son)
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1965–1971	Derbyshire
1976/77–1977/78	Orange Free State
FC debut	21 August 1965 Derbyshire v Somerset
Last FC	26 January 1978 Orange Free State v Border
LA debut	25 May 1968 Derbyshire v Sussex
Last LA	30 May 1971 Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire
Career statistics
Competition First-class List A Matches 114 37 Runs scored 4,995 830 Batting average 26.56 23.71 100s/50s 4/22 0/4 Top score 136 85 Balls bowled 50 0 Wickets 1 – Bowling average 23.00 – 5 wickets in innings 0 – 10 wickets in match 0 – Best bowling 1/1 – Catches/stumpings 84/– 14/–
Source: CricketArchive, 17 December 2021

Biography

Smith was born in Shipley, West Yorkshire. His cricketing career began with a season's service in the Derbyshire Second XI, debuting against Northamptonshire in 1964. He continued playing for the Second XI team and made his debut in the Derbyshire first team in the 1965 season, in a draw against Somerset. He played four matches in that season and one match for the first team in the 1966. He was a regular first team player in the 1967 season, scoring centuries against Cambridge University and Essex. In the 1968 season he scored a century against Leicestershire. He made his fourth century in the 1969 season against Lancashire. He played his last first-class season for Derbyshire in 1970 but played one limited over match in the 1971 season. Smith was an opening batsman throughout his time at Derbyshire, alongside John Harvey or Peter Gibbs.

He was never the first-choice wicket-keeper at Derbyshire during his spell, as the England cricketer, Bob Taylor was also at the club, though he took the role on occasion.

From 1976, Smith played two matches for Orange Free State, alongside fellow former-Derbyshire man, Alan Hill, including one match in the Castle Bowl.

Smith was a left-handed batsman and played 114 first-class matches with an average of 26.56 and a top score of 136. He was a right-arm medium-pace and off-break bowler and took one wicket in 50 deliveries. He was an occasional wicket-keeper.

Smith's elder son, Lawrence Smith played first-class cricket for Worcestershire between 1985 and 1987. His younger son, Jason Smith, played for the Gloucestershire second XI between 1985 and 1987.

He died on 17 December 2021, aged 81.

External links

• David Smith at ESPNcricinfo