England’s oldest Test cricketer, Don Smith expires at the age of 97

Rest in peace Donald Smith, the oldest Test cricketer of England dies at the age of 97 on Wednesday. The all-rounder and opener of England, Donald Smith played three Test matches for England during their tour against West Indies in 1957, made his debut at Lord’s. Later, he went for the coaching of Sri Lankan cricket team before settling in Adelaide.   

“The ECB is saddened to learn of the death of former England international Don Smith at the age of 97. The ECB sends its condolences to Don’s wife Lyn and his family and friends,”

ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) said in an official statement on Wednesday.

Donald Smith enjoyed a fair career with Sussex where he scored 17000 runs and picked up 340 wickets from 1946-62.

According to his country club Sussex, other than his cricket career, Smith had developed a business of growing roses in Worthing but after a bad dry summer, he was invited as a coach and groundsman at Lancing College, a job he did with consistency for over two years.

In 1984, he was invited to coach the Sri Lankan national cricket team and after fulfilling that job for a short period of time, he and his wife Lyn settled in Adelaide and became an Australian national.

Alan Burgess, the world’s oldest living first-class cricketer passed away last week at the age of 100.

The right-hand batsman and slow left-arm bowler, Alan played 11 first-class matches for Canterbury from 1940/41 to 1951/52. He also worked for New Zealand Services in England in 1945. He took 6-52 on his match debut against Otago at Lancaster Park, a match that began on Christmas Day in 1940.