Lankford Smith

Lankford Daniel Smith (21 December 1914 – 28 November 1978) was a football (soccer) player who represented New Zealand at international level.[1] He was also an accomplished cricketer, playing first-class cricket for Otago from 1935 to 1957.[2]

Smith played two official A-international matches for the New Zealand national football team in 1948,[1] both against visiting trans-Tasman neighbours Australia, the first a 0–7 loss on 28 August, followed by a 0–4 loss on 4 September.[3]

A middle-order batsman and left-arm spinner, Smith captained Otago in 1945-46 and from 1947-48 to 1955–56, leading the province to victory in the Plunket Shield in 1947–48, 1950–51 and 1952–53. He scored 2281 runs at 24.52, and took 85 wickets at 38.23. He scored his only century in the victory over Central Districts in Dunedin that gave Otago the 1952-53 shield.[4] Dick Brittenden said that apart from his batting, bowling and "inspiring example in the field", "perhaps his greatest asset as a captain was his firm belief in the ability of his team. He was so deeply convinced it was the better side that it very often was."[5]