Michael John Knight Smith OBE (OS 51)

We are saddened to announce that Michael John Knight Smith OBE (OS 51), known as M.J.K. Smith, has passed away at the age of 92. Born on 30 June 1933, Smith was a celebrated English sportsman, renowned for his exceptional talents in both cricket and rugby. He was a dual international, representing England in both sports, the last person to do so.

Smith attended Stamford School from 1943 to 1951, where he distinguished himself as a talented athlete, representing the school in both rugby and cricket. He played in the 1st XV rugby team, notably alongside Colin Dexter, who would later become famous as the creator of Inspector Morse. After leaving Stamford, Smith’s rugby career continued with Oxford University, and he received his sole cap for England in the Five Nations against Wales in 1956, playing at Fly Half at Twickenham.

It was in 1957 that MJK Smith moved to Warwickshire CCC and this was the catalyst for an illustrious cricketing career. He passed 2,000 runs a season each year from 1957 to 1962, including 3,245 runs in 1959. In total, he scored 39,832 runs in a 25-year career and was capped 50 times by England. Half of these England caps came as captain, while he also captained Warwickshire a record 327 times. At the time of his death, he was England’s oldest living Ashes captain.

After retiring from cricket in 1975, he was honoured with the OBE for his services to cricket in the 1976 Queen's Birthday Honours. MJK returned to WCCC as chairman from 1991 to 2003. It was during this time, in 1993, that Smith returned to Stamford School to re-open the cricket pavilion. He kept in close contact with the School over the years and he was awarded an Honorary Life Membership of the Old Stamfordian Club.

The Hayes Smith Trophy, named in honour of M.J.K. Smith and Frank Hayes, former Oakham Cricket Master, is a tribute to Smith’s legacy. Competed for annually by Stamford School and Oakham School, the trophy celebrates the cricketing spirit that both Smith and Hayes exemplified. Stamford School has proudly won the trophy for the past two years, a fitting tribute to Smith’s enduring influence on the school’s cricketing success.

He will be remembered not only for his athletic prowess but also for his gentlemanly conduct and his dedication to the games he loved.