Warwickshire County Cricket Club is saddened to learn of the passing of Bears and England legend MJK Smith at the age of 92.
Michael John Knight Smith – who captained Warwickshire a record 327 times – passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family following a long illness.
As a player Smith scored more than 30,000 runs for the Bears and is remembered as a shot-making, positive player in the days of largely reserved championship cricket.
MJK Smith scored 39,832 runs in a 25-year career and was also capped 50 times by England, half of which came as captain between 1963 and 1966.
He hit 69 centuries (with a best of 204) and 241 fifties. He was often out when batting for the team rather than himself, and generally scored runs at a good pace. He made 2,000 runs in a season six times running from 1957-62.
Having retired from the First Class game in 1975, he became Club Chairman between 1991 and 2003, and was an ICC match referee between 1991 and 1996. He officiated in four Tests between 1991 and 1993 and 17 ODIs between 1991 and 1996.
He also bought Wootton Court Country Club, just outside Warwick, and ran it for 20 years but remained involved with the Bears on the general committee.
In 2019, Smith was honoured by the Club as the club renamed the Edgbaston Stadium gates to MJK Gates, which were subsequently moved behind The Eric Hollies Stand after the redevelopment of the piazza.
He is also one of only a small number of people to have represented England at both cricket and rugby, having played rugby union against Wales in 1956.
Tracey Orr, Chair of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, said: “I was sorry to hear of the passing of MJK Smith this morning. He was not only a distinguished cricketer and respected captain for both Warwickshire and England, but also a true gentleman of the game whose grace, sportsmanship, and contribution to cricket will long be remembered.
“His legacy lives on through the generations he inspired, both on and off the field. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends, and fellow Bears who will be deeply saddened by this news.”
A minute’s silence was held before the start of the fourth day’s play between Warwickshire and Glamorgan, with Bears’ players wearing black armbands and flags flown at half mast.
Smith is survived by his three children, Neil, Barbara and Carole. Plans to celebrate the life of MJK Smith will be communicated in due course.
Everyone at Warwickshire sends their condolences to Michael’s family and friends. Once a Bear, Always a Bear.