Cricket May 26, 2026

Mike Smith: Former Warwickshire and England cricket captain and rugby union international dies aged 92

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Mike Smith: Former Warwickshire and England cricket captain and rugby union international dies aged 92

Former England captain Mike Smith has died at the age of 92, Warwickshire have announced.

Smith, known by his initials MJK, played 50 Tests for England, captain on 25 occasions, and was also a rugby union international as he earned one cap against Wales in 1956.

After a playing career that lasted almost two decades with Warwickshire, yielding nearly 40,000 first-class runs, Smith went on to serve as county chairman between 1991 and 2003 - a period during which Warwickshire won seven major trophies.

Warwickshire announced the news of his death on Monday morning, with a moment of silence held before the start of play on day four of their County Championship match against Glamorgan.

Smith made his first-class debut for Leicestershire prior to two years of compulsory military service, and continued to represent his native county while studying at Oxford University.

He joined Warwickshire in 1956 and was appointed captain the following year.

Smith's Test debut came in 1958 against New Zealand on home turf in Birmingham. Although initially selected as an opener, Smith began to flourish when moved to the middle order, making his first international century against India at Old Trafford in 1959.

His opportunity to captain the side came in the absence of Ted Dexter and Colin Cowdrey for a tour of India in 1963-64. In his 25 Tests as captain, Smith suffered defeat only three times with 17 draws and five victories.

Following retirement, he spent five years as a referee before becoming Warwickshire chairman in 1991 - overseeing a period which brought back-to-back county championship titles in 1994 and 1995.

His son Neil, known as NMK, followed in his footsteps to become Warwickshire captain and earning one-day international honours for England.

ECB chair, Richard Thompson, said: "Mike was part of a group of former players who did so much both on and off the field.

"Having a player of Mike's talent to chair a county as well as play for it was a huge benefit and Mike performed both roles with great distinction.

"His contribution to the game will not be forgotten."

Tags:

cricket news

Share this article

Related Posts

Brendon McCullum insists England's best cricket is ahead of them after Ashes 'missed opportunity'

Brendon McCullum insists England's best cricket is ahead of them after Ashes 'missed opportunity'

Brendon McCullum has declared England's best cricket is ahead of them as they chart a route back from Ashes ruin this summer. In their first assignmen...

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Wicked to bring West End magic to tournament opening ceremony at Edgbaston

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Wicked to bring West End magic to tournament opening ceremony at Edgbaston

The 2026 Women's T20 World Cup is to get under way with a spectacular live performance from the cast of Wicked ahead of England's tournament opener ag...

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks record for most sixes in IPL season with ridiculous 97 off 29 balls for Rajasthan Royals

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks record for most sixes in IPL season with ridiculous 97 off 29 balls for Rajasthan Royals

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell agonisingly short of hitting the fastest century in IPL history but smashed Chris Gayle's 14‑year record for the most sixes...

Charlie Dean says England will do whatever it takes to 'keep winning' ahead of Women's T20 World Cup

Charlie Dean says England will do whatever it takes to 'keep winning' ahead of Women's T20 World Cup

Charlie Dean says England coach Charlotte Edwards has given her side a simple message to 'keep winning' ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup and their s...

Jacob Bethell: England all-rounder expected to be fit to play in first Test against New Zealand, despite finger injury

Jacob Bethell: England all-rounder expected to be fit to play in first Test against New Zealand, despite finger injury

Jacob Bethell is expected to be fit to play in England's first Test match of the summer against New Zealand, starting on June 4, after the all-rounder...

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks record for most sixes in IPL season with ridiculous 97 off 29 balls for Rajasthan Royals

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks record for most sixes in IPL season with ridiculous 97 off 29 balls for Rajasthan Royals

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell agonisingly short of hitting the fastest century in IPL history but smashed Chris Gayle's 14‑year record for the most sixes...