Background
Although he was born in Yeadon, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, he made his first-class debut for Lancashire in their second first-class match against Middlesex at Islington in 1865, where he opened the batting scoring 23 and 21.
Although he was born in Yeadon, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, he made his first-class debut for Lancashire in their second first-class match against Middlesex at Islington in 1865, where he opened the batting scoring 23 and 21.
He was a left-handed batsman and left arm round arm fast bowler, who usually fielded at slip or point. He then played two matches for his native Yorkshire in the same year, before returning to Lancashire for whom he played occasionally until 1869. In eight first-class games, Smith scored 181 runs at 12.92, with a best of 40 not out, and took 18 wickets at 20.11 with a best of 4 for 46.
He also played as a young professional in Scotland for Hawick, Melrose and Kelso and Langham, and later appeared for Worcestershire where he later became groundsman.
Smith also stood once as a first-class umpire, in 1865. After a period of Army service, he was known in Yeadon as "Soldier Johnny", but at Worcester became known as "The Doctor", because of the quality of the pitches he prepared.
John Smith died in Worcester, England, in February 1909.