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Steve Smith (cricketer, born 1961)

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Not to be confused with Steve Smith (cricketer).

Steve Smith
Personal information
Full name
Steven Barry Smith
Born (1961-10-18) 18 October 1961 (age 63)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
BattingRight-handed
RoleBatsman
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 323)2 March 1984 v West Indies
Last Test28 April 1984 v West Indies
ODI debut (cap 75)6 February 1983 v New Zealand
Last ODI10 February 1985 v West Indies
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1981/82–1988/89New South Wales
1989/90–1990/91Transvaal
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 3 28 90 89
Runs scored 41 861 5,248 2,816
Batting average 8.19 39.13 35.94 38.57
100s/50s 0/0 2/8 12/26 3/25
Top score 12 117 263 117
Balls bowled – 7 115 277
Wickets – 0 1 7
Bowling average – – 77.00 29.28
5 wickets in innings – – 0 0
10 wickets in match – – 0 0
Best bowling – – 1/35 2/16
Catches/stumpings 1/– 8/– 66/– 20/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 12 December 2005

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

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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.[1]

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[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] He then made 263 against Victoria, including 117 in a session.[5] These efforts saw him selected in Australia's ODI side, with Smith and Graeme Wood replacing John Dyson and Kepler Wessels.[6]

ODI Player

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Smith made 28 in his first ODI,[7] and 10 in his second,[8] but then scored 117 off 130 balls in only his third game, against New Zealand.[9][10] 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."[11]

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).[12] He also He

These efforts led to him being picked in the Australian squad to tour Sri Lanka in 1983.[13] 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.[14]

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.[15]

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."[16][17]

Smith also made two half centuries against the West Indies – scores of 55[18] and 50.[19] He was injured during the next ODI while diving to stop a run, and did not bat.[20]

Test career

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In January 1984, Smith was picked to tour the West Indies.[21] 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[22] – but Smith recovered in time.[23]

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)[24][25][26] He won the man of the match award.

Smith followed this up with 60 in the 1st one day international, the highest Australian innings.[27]

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.[28]

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.[29] 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.[30] He was picked in the 3rd test but failed twice again, with scores of 10 and 7, getting out both times to Malcolm Marshall.[31]

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.)[32]

Smith hit a vein of form, scoring 127 against the Windward Islands.[33][34] After 6 in the 3rd ODi he made 84 against Jamaica,[35] and 50 in the 4th ODI.[36][37]

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.[38] 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."[39]

In July 1984 Smith was selected on in the Australian squad to tour India in 1984.[40] During the series he scored a half century and impressed Sunil Gavaskar with the quality of his fielding.[41]

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.[42] Highlights include an innings of 73 off 73 balls against Sri Lanka.[43] He also scored 73 for NSW in a game against Wellington.[44]

Smith's last ODI for Australia saw him score 54 against the West Indies. He injured his hand fielding.[45] He was replaced in the Australian squaad by Kim Hughes.[46] 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.[47] However Smith was overlooked for the 1985 Ashes.[48]

South Africa

[edit]

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.[49]

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.[50] 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.[51]

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.[52] He also made two half centuries in the one day internationals.

During the second tour, Smith scored centuries in the 3rd[53] and 4th unofficial test matches.[54] He scored more first class runs on that trip than any other Australian batsman.[55]

Return to Australia

[edit]

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."[56]

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.[57] 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.[58]

Post-playing career

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Smith ran an indoor cricket centre, became a batting coach for Bankstown as well as a New South Wales selector.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Dorothy, Goodwin (6 December 1981). "Steve's Running Hot". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 July 2012 – via Google Newspaper Archive.
  2. ^ "CRICKET Yallop is out, Wellham in Test squad". The Canberra Times. Vol. 56, no. 16, 862. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 26 November 1981. p. 34. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "It's just a question of tactics now for NSW". The Canberra Times. 21 December 1981. p. 24. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Australian SOS interrupts a NSW run feast". The Canberra Times. Vol. 57, no. 17, 283. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 23 January 1983. p. 27. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "CRICKET Opener rips Victoria". The Canberra Times. 29 January 1983. p. 40. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Australia drops three". The Canberra Times. Vol. 57, no. 17, 293. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 2 February 1983. p. 34. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "CRICKET Pressure play puts Australia in finals". The Canberra Times. Vol. 57, no. 17, 298. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 February 1983. p. 20. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Back-to-form Hughes has New Zealand on the run". The Canberra Times. Vol. 57, no. 17, 301. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 10 February 1983. p. 26. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "2nd Final: Australia v New Zealand at Melbourne". ESPNcricinfo. 13 February 1983.
  10. ^ a b 'Steve Smith's Century', The Age, 2 February 2007 accessed 22 July 2012
  11. ^ "CRICKET Hughes has last word as Australians storm home". The Canberra Times. Vol. 57, no. 17, 305. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 14 February 1983. p. 18. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "CRICKET Smith lifts NSW past Qld into Cup final". The Canberra Times. Vol. 57, no. 17, 333. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 14 March 1983. p. 18. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "CRICKET In-form Yallop gains tour place". The Canberra Times. Vol. 57, no. 17, 322. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 3 March 1983. p. 26. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "Trevor Chappell only surprise for Cup". The Canberra Times. Vol. 57, no. 17, 386. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 6 May 1983. p. 22. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ Chappell, Ian (9 October 1983). "Untimely words add to the pressure". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 72.
  16. ^ "Smith's crisp 106 crushes Pakistan". The Canberra Times. 26 January 1984. p. 22. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "10th Match: Australia v Pakistan at Sydney". Cricinfo. 25 January 1984.
  18. ^ "CRICKET Australia learns a fourth lesson". The Canberra Times. Vol. 58, no. 17, 655. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 30 January 1984. p. 14. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ "Easy win to Windies in first WSC final Hughes blames loss on contract dispute". The Canberra Times. Vol. 58, no. 17, 665. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 9 February 1984. p. 24. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ^ "Dramatic tie in WSC final". The Canberra Times. Vol. 58, no. 17, 668. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 12 February 1984. p. 21 (SUNDAY EDITION). Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ "CRICKET Selectors stick with proven performers". The Canberra Times. Vol. 58, no. 17, 645. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 20 January 1984. p. 16. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^ Mossop, Brian (12 February 1984). "Tour Pair in Doubt". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 July 2012 – via Google Newspaper Archive.
  23. ^ "WEST INDIES CRICKET TOUR Smith and Ritchie cleared to go". The Canberra Times. 14 February 1984. p. 20. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ McFarline, Peter (2 February 1984). "Lawson troubled by sore back". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 July 2012 – via Google Newspaper Archive.
  25. ^ "Guyana v Australians, Australia in West Indies 1983/84, Venue Bourda, Georgetown on 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th February 1984 (4-day match)". CricketArchive.
  26. ^ "Australia 301 ahead Smith hits 116 in hint to selectors". The Canberra Times. 28 February 1984. p. 22. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ "West Indies v Australia, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (1st ODI), Venue Albion Sports Complex". CricketArchive. 29 February 1984.
  28. ^ "West Indies v Australia, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (1st Test) Venue Bourda, Georgetown on 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th March 1984". CricketArchive. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  29. ^ "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)". CricketArchive.
  30. ^ "Barbados v Australians, Australia in West Indies 1983/84, Venue Kensington Oval, Bridgetown on 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th March 1984". CricketArchive.
  31. ^ "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". CricketArchive.
  32. ^ McFarline, Peter (9 April 1984). "Test team changes a blunder". The Age. p. 29.
  33. ^ "Windward Islands v Australians, Australia in West Indies 1983/84, Venue Mindoo Phillip Park, Castries on 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th April 1984". CricketArchive.
  34. ^ "CRICKET Smith and Matthews make Test claims". The Canberra Times. Vol. 58, no. 17, 732. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 16 April 1984. p. 21. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ^ "Jamaica v Australians, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 Venue Jarrett Park, Montego Bay on 23rd April 1984". CricketArchive.
  36. ^ "West Indies v Australia, Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (4th ODI) Venue Sabina Park, Kingston on 26th April 1984". CricketArchive.
  37. ^ "CRICKET Smith and Matthews make Test claims". The Canberra Times. 16 April 1984. p. 21. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  38. ^ "West Indies v Australia Australia in West Indies 1983/84 (5th Test) Venue Sabina Park, Kingston on 28th, 29th, 30th April, 2nd May 1984". CricketArchive.
  39. ^ McFarline, Peter (4 May 1984). "The trouble with Hughes' team – not enough heroes". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1.
  40. ^ "Surprises in Australian cricket contract list and squad for India tour Hookes, Matthews dropped". The Canberra Times. Vol. 58, no. 17, 824. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 17 July 1984. p. 18. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  41. ^ "CRICKET Another win in India". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 17, 906. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 October 1984. p. 1 (SPORT). Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  42. ^ "Smith to miss tomorrow's cricket final". The Canberra Times. 11 February 1985. p. 1. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  43. ^ "CRICKET Smith, Phillips belt hapless Sri Lanka". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 026. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 4 February 1985. p. 22. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  44. ^ "Holland back in the limelight". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 17, 998. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 January 1985. p. 18. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  45. ^ "Smith to miss tomorrow's cricket final". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 033. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 11 February 1985. p. 1. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  46. ^ "CRICKET Aussies' morale problem". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 034. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 12 February 1985. p. 20. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  47. ^ "Smith reminds the selectors". The Canberra Times. 17 March 1985. p. 6 Section: SPORT. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  48. ^ "Smith and 'the Motivator' to miss Ashes tour". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 071. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 March 1985. p. 28. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  49. ^ "How and why Ali Bacher put the rebel tour together". The Canberra Times. Vol. 59, no. 18, 157. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 16 June 1985. p. 46. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  50. ^ Francis p150
  51. ^ Francis p133
  52. ^ "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)". CricketArchive.
  53. ^ "South Africa v Australian XI, Australian XI in South Africa 1986/87, Venue Kingsmead, Durban on 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd January 1987". CricketArchive.
  54. ^ "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". CricketArchive.
  55. ^ "First-class batting and fieldiong for Australian XI, Australian XI in South Africa 1986/87". CricketArchive.
  56. ^ "Two NSW rebels recalled for shield". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 December 1987. p. 52.
  57. ^ "S. Africa rebels ban off". The Canberra Times. Vol. 65, no. 20, 570. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 August 1991. p. 38. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  58. ^ "IN BRIEF Slater ready to wrap title". The Canberra Times. Vol. 67, no. 21, 009. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 20 October 1992. p. 23. Retrieved 22 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

Bibliography

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  • Francis, Bruce (1989). Guilty? Bob Hawke or Kim Hughes?. B. Francis. ISBN 9780731653881.
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