Double century for scorer Ian Smith

CRICKET WELLINGTON MEDIA RELEASE Monday 22 November 2010

Double century for scorer Ian Smith an outstanding achievement

This week's Plunket Shield game between the Wellington Firebirds and the Otago Volts at the Basin Reserve will be the 200th First-Class game on the scorebook for Ian Smith.

Smith's scoring career has spanned 47 seasons and counting and has included 42 Test matches, all of which were at the Basin Reserve. It's quite a feat considering there have only been 51 Tests at the ground.

As well as Tests, Smith has scored in 157 non international First-Class games and over 200 combined List A (One-Day) and Twenty20 games, including 42 One Day Internationals.

This achievement will be acknowledged with a special presentation on the ground at the Basin Reserve in the lunch break of the first day of the Plunket Shield fixture on Tuesday.

New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan acknowledged Smith's dedication to cricket. "We greatly thank Ian for his commitment over many years and hope he continues to be involved for years to come," he said. "He has made a tremendous contribution to cricket in New Zealand through his officiating. We are very fortunate to have someone of Ian's calibre and commitment within our family of cricket and hope his dedication and passion for the sport encourages more to follow in his footsteps."

Cricket Wellington CEO Gavin Larsen said it is a milestone Smith should be proud of. "We congratulate Ian on his remarkable achievement," he said. "He's been a dedicated and passionate scorer for Wellington and we appreciate all the time and effort he has put into his role."

Prominent Wellington cricket identity Don Neely, who was playing for the Kilbirnie club (now Eastern Suburbs) when Ian became the Senior scorer, praised his outstanding career.

"For over 50 years I have marveled at the reliability, durability, accuracy, dedication and loyalty of Ian Smith. His contribution to Wellington and New Zealand cricket is in the top tier alongside any player or administrator His record may never be broken."

Ian Smith:

* Has scored 199 First-Class matches and is in his 48th consecutive season of scoring for Wellington and 47th for New Zealand at the Basin Reserve.

* Has scored 42 of the 51 Tests that have been played at the Basin Reserve, only missing one in 1990

* Has also scored 157 non international First-Class matches

* Has surpassed a double century of combined domestic and international One-Day and Twenty20 games, so has been at the toss in over 400 games

* Maiden First-Class game was in January 1964 in a match between Wellington and Canterbury

* First Test match was New Zealand versus Pakistan in 1965

* Most memorable Test was New Zealand beating England for the first time in 1978

* Most memorable batting performance in Tests was Martin Crowe and Andrew Jones's then world record 467-run partnership v Sri Lanka in 1991/92

* Most memorable bowling performance in Tests was watching Courtney Walsh's 13 for 155 to help beat New Zealand in February 1995

* Most memorable bowling performance in a First-Class match was Ewen Chatfield's 13 wickets for Wellington against the West Indies at the Hutt Recreation Ground in February 1980

* Memorable First-Class batting included watching Bruce Edgar share in consecutive opening partnerships of over 300 runs for Wellington with Andrew Jones and Robert Vance in 1988/89

ENDS

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