Ian Smith (New Zealand cricketer)

Ian David Stockley Smith MBE (born 28 February 1957) is a New Zealand cricket commentator and former cricketer. He played as a wicket-keeper for New Zealand throughout the 1980s and part of the 1990s.

Ian Smith
MBE
Personal information
Full nameIan David Stockley Smith
Born (1957-02-28) 28 February 1957
Nelson, New Zealand
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm bowler
RoleWicket-keeper
RelationsJarrod Smith (son)
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 148)28 November 1980 v Australia
Last Test10 February 1992 v England
ODI debut (cap 38)25 November 1980 v Australia
Last ODI21 March 1992 v Pakistan
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1977/78–1986/87Central Districts
1987/88–1991/92Auckland
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 63 98 178 153
Runs scored 1,815 1,055 5,570 1,875
Batting average 25.56 17.29 26.77 17.85
100s/50s 2/6 0/3 6/24 0/5
Top score 173 62* 173 70
Balls bowled 18 0 81 46
Wickets 0 – 0 2
Bowling average – – – 10.00
5 wickets in innings – – – 0
10 wickets in match – – – 0
Best bowling – – – 2/11
Catches/stumpings 168/8 81/5 417/36 137/12
Source: Cricinfo, 25 March 2017

International career

Smith has one of the highest ever strike rates as a batsman for One Day Internationals – 99 runs per 100 balls faced. He also holds the record for the highest score in Tests for a batsman coming in at number nine, which is 173 off 136 balls, scored against India at Eden Park in 1990.[1] During the innings, he became joint holder of the record for most runs scored off a six-ball Test over, striking 24 runs off Atul Wassan.

After cricket

After Smith retired from cricket, he worked in the banking industry before moving into broadcasting. He worked as a radio announcer on Radio Live SPORT[2] as a breakfast host and is also a commentator for SKY Sport (in New Zealand, commentating on both rugby union and cricket). As a cricket commentator he has also worked on television commentary at numerous ICC tournaments including the World Twenty20 and Cricket World Cup calling the crucial final ball as England beat New Zealand in the final at Lords. He has also appeared as a guest commentator on Sky Sports and Test Match Special in the UK during New Zealand tours of England.

Smith took an active role in presenting the Rugby World Cup on Sky in New Zealand.

In April 2020, Smith won New Zealand Cricket's most prestigious award the Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Cricket.

His son Jarrod Smith is a football player who has appeared for the New Zealand national team.

Honours and awards

In the 1994 New Year Honours, Smith was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to cricket.[3] In April 2020, he was awarded the Bert Sutcliffe Medal by New Zealand Cricket for outstanding services to cricket.[4]

References
  1. New Zealand v India, 1989/90, 3rd Test. Cricinfo.com (26 February 1990). Retrieved on 2018-05-27.
  2. LiveSPORT Sport Radio Station. Radiolivesport.co.nz. Retrieved on 27 May 2018.
  3. "No. 53528". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1993. p. 34.
  4. "Ian Smith honoured by NZC for 'outstanding services to cricket'". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
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