Will Smith (cricketer)
Encyclopedia
Will Smith is an English
cricket
er. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-spin bowler.
Smith originally played for Harrold CC and Bedford School
(where he captained England opening batsman Alastair Cook
). He played minor county cricket for Bedfordshire
as a schoolboy, until he moved to Nottinghamshire
in 2002. Primarily an opening batsman, at times Smith has been played slightly further down the order, especially during the Twenty20 cup. Smith is an exciting fielder and has taken some great catches (Twenty 20 Cup Finals day vs Surrey) and has fielded as 12th Man for the full England side whilst at Trent Bridge.
Though having played three times during Nottinghamshire's 2005 title-winning season, he was unable to establish himself within the Championship team, and subsequently joined Durham CCC
, thus returning to his University town: Smith is a graduate of Durham University
, where he successfully captained Durham UCCE
and gained a 2:1 (Hons) in Biochemistry
.
During the course of the 2008 season, Smith has established himself in the Durham championship side, primarily batting at No 3, and recently recorded his maiden 1st class double-hundred (201 not out) against Surrey, sending Durham to the top of the County Champion Division 1 as a result. Durham went on to win the County Championship for the first time in their history, and Smith's runs saw him named 2008 Player of the Year ahead of more recognisable names such as Chiv Chanderpaul and Steve Harmision.
Smith was appointed as the new captain of Durham on 14 November 2008, succeeding Dale Benkenstein.
Durham CCC continued their success in 2009, with Smith leading them to a successful defence of their County Championship Title in his first year in charge.
Away from the playing side, Smith is a keen journalist and writes for All-Out Cricket as well as ad-hoc commentary for Sky and the BBC, he also enjoys watching Football and supports non league side Rushden & Diamonds.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-spin bowler.
Smith originally played for Harrold CC and Bedford School
Bedford School
Bedford School is not to be confused with Bedford Modern School or Bedford High School or Old Bedford School in Bedford, TexasBedford School is an HMC independent school for boys located in the town of Bedford, England, United Kingdom...
(where he captained England opening batsman Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook
Alastair Nathan Cook, MBE is an English international cricket player. He is a left-handed opening batsman who plays county cricket for Essex and International cricket for England, where he is their ODI captain. Cook played for Essex's Academy and made his debut for the first XI in 2003...
). He played minor county cricket for Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire County Cricket Club
Bedfordshire County Cricket Club is one of the county clubs which make up the Minor Counties in the English domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Bedfordshire and competing in the Minor Counties Championship and the MCCA Knockout Trophy. The Minor Counties play three-day...
as a schoolboy, until he moved to Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
in 2002. Primarily an opening batsman, at times Smith has been played slightly further down the order, especially during the Twenty20 cup. Smith is an exciting fielder and has taken some great catches (Twenty 20 Cup Finals day vs Surrey) and has fielded as 12th Man for the full England side whilst at Trent Bridge.
Though having played three times during Nottinghamshire's 2005 title-winning season, he was unable to establish himself within the Championship team, and subsequently joined Durham CCC
Durham County Cricket Club
Durham County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Durham. Its limited overs team is called the Durham Dynamos. Their kit colours are blue with yellow trim and the shirt sponsor was...
, thus returning to his University town: Smith is a graduate of Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
, where he successfully captained Durham UCCE
Durham University Centre of Cricketing Excellence
Durham MCC University is a cricket coaching centre based at Durham University in Durham, County Durham, England and the name under which the university's cricket team plays....
and gained a 2:1 (Hons) in Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
.
During the course of the 2008 season, Smith has established himself in the Durham championship side, primarily batting at No 3, and recently recorded his maiden 1st class double-hundred (201 not out) against Surrey, sending Durham to the top of the County Champion Division 1 as a result. Durham went on to win the County Championship for the first time in their history, and Smith's runs saw him named 2008 Player of the Year ahead of more recognisable names such as Chiv Chanderpaul and Steve Harmision.
Smith was appointed as the new captain of Durham on 14 November 2008, succeeding Dale Benkenstein.
Durham CCC continued their success in 2009, with Smith leading them to a successful defence of their County Championship Title in his first year in charge.
Away from the playing side, Smith is a keen journalist and writes for All-Out Cricket as well as ad-hoc commentary for Sky and the BBC, he also enjoys watching Football and supports non league side Rushden & Diamonds.
External links
- Will Smith at ECB