| Ray Smith | |
| Fullname: | Raymond Smith |
| Birth Date: | 10 August 1914 |
| Birth Place: | Boreham, Essex, United Kingdom |
| Death Place: | Kidderminster, Worcestershire, United Kingdom |
| Batting: | Right-handed |
| Bowling: | Right arm fast medium; Off break |
| Role: | All-rounder |
| Club1: | Essex |
| Year1: | 1934–1956 |
| Columns: | 1 |
| Column1: | FC |
| Matches1: | 445 |
| Runs1: | 12041 |
| Bat Avg1: | 20.27 |
| 100S/50S1: | 8/51 |
| Top Score1: | 147 |
| Deliveries1: | 86610 |
| Wickets1: | 1350 |
| Bowl Avg1: | 30.56 |
| Fivefor1: | 73 |
| Tenfor1: | 10 |
| Best Bowling1: | 8/63 |
| Catches/Stumpings1: | 192/0 |
| Date: | 20 July 2013 |
| Source: | http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/20264.html Cricinfo |
Ray Smith (10 August 1914 - 21 February 1996) was an English cricketer. He played for Essex between 1934 and 1956.[1]
Smith was a prominent all-rounder in the post-war Essex cricket team, alongside his cousin Peter.[2] He was known for his dynamic bowling, often initiating the attack with rapid in-swingers, and then switching to less effective off-breaks.[2] Smith's batting was sporadically powerful, with three of his eight first-class centuries recorded as the fastest in their respective seasons.[2] Notably harsh on off-spinners, he once left bowler Jim Laker exasperated.[2] Contrary to fast-bowling norms, Smith's appeals were delivered in a soft, aristocratic voice.[2]
Retiring in 1956, he missed the introduction of one-day cricket but had an accomplished career as a coach at Felsted and ran a restaurant outside Birmingham.[2] His final home match saw Essex secure its first victory over Yorkshire since the war, with Smith scoring the winning runs.[2]