Frederick Smith (Somerset cricketer)

Frederick Aitken Leeston Smith (10 May 1854 – 27 January 1894) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Somerset in 1884 and 1885.[1] He was born at Kensington, London and died at Parkstone, Dorset. In some sources, his name is written as "Leeston-Smith".[2] According to his obituary in Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 1905 (which states that he died in 1903), he adopted the "Leeston" name in 1880.[3]

Educated at Malvern College and Christ's College, Brecon, Smith was a right-handed opening or middle-order batsman and a right-arm fast bowler, though he did not bowl in first-class cricket. He played club cricket for Weston-super-Mare Cricket Club and in a match against Thornbury he hit E. M. Grace, W. G.'s elder brother, for four sixes off consecutive balls.[3] He played in several matches for Somerset before the county club was given first-class status in 1882, but thereafter appeared in just three matches, scoring useful runs in each of them, with a highest score of 37 in his final game, against Gloucestershire in August 1885.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Frederick Smith". www.cricketarchive.com. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  2. ^ For example: "Cricket", The Times, no. 31537, London, p. 5, 28 August 1885
  3. ^ a b "Wisden: Obituaries in 1904, addendum". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Scorecard: Somerset v Gloucestershire". www.cricketarchive.com. 27 August 1885. Retrieved 3 July 2011.