MJK Smith obituary

Cricketer who captained England for 25 Tests and amassed 39,832 runs across his first-class careerThe cricketer MJK Smith, who has died aged 92, was a well-regarded captain of England in the mid-1960s and a remarkably consistent run-gatherer for Warwickshire. His even-tempered approach was one of the keys to his success as a skipper not just with England, whom he led between 1964 and 1966, but with his county, which he captained from 1957 to 1967. Although the product of a traditional public school and Oxbridge background, he was unusual for the time in having a classless accent, an egalitarian outlook and a relaxed attitude to convention. Rank and file players loved him for it, and would do anything to support his cause.Bespectacled and owlish, Mike Smith’s approach on the field looked laissez-faire, almost absent-minded. But he was far more astute than appearances suggested. “Though outwardly unconventional and in manner casual to a degree, he succeeds as a captain for the conventional reasons,” said EW Swanton. “He is thoughtful for his players, unselfish, does not fuss them or panic, shows a grasp of the situation which they deem generally sensible, and not least gives an inspiring personal lead in the field.” Continue reading...