Lives in Cricket No 30 - MJK Smith

155 Acknowledgements The task of writing this book has been enriched through the help freely offered by so many of those who played cricket or rugby with Mike Smith or who served in other capacities alongside him. Those with whom I sat down and chatted at greatest length were David Allen and Bob Barber, both of whom toured twice under his captaincy, while I also had the pleasure of meeting Mike Atherton, England captain on the two tours Mike managed. Roy Allaway, Mike’s rugby captain at Oxford, e-mailed at length from Australia, while I enjoyed a long telephone conversation with David Brace, the other half of the famous Dark Blue half- back combination. From the world of cricket many of those to whom I spoke on the telephone were taking a call from a total stranger, but all were happy to share recollections of life alongside one of cricket’s most popular captains and one of the game’s most dedicated administrators. My gratitude is extended to: Jack Bannister, Donald Carr, Robin Hobbs, Gerry Hopper, Neil Houghton, Jamie McDowall, John Mortimore, Peter Parfitt, John Price, Alan Smith, Jim Stewart, and Alan Townsend. To the list of past players must be added one from a later generation, Mike’s son Neil, whose never-to-be-forgotten six at Lord’s I was pleased to have witnessed, whilst a chance meeting with Dominic Ostler confirmed the high regard in which Mike is held by Warwickshire players of his era and made me realise what a privilege it was to have been asked to write this book. Neil and his sisters Barbara and Carole were always happy to answer my calls, sharing memories of a much-loved and respected father. To Barbara I am especially grateful for unearthing many photographs from childhood and earlier, from which we were sometimes spoilt for choice in deciding which to use. Special thanks are also due to Nicholas McCarthy, Foundation Department, Stamford Endowed Schools, who went far beyond the call of duty in locating school magazine reports and photographs from Mike’s time at Stamford. Establishing the details of members of the Leach family at Marlborough College involved a delightful telephone call to the school’s archivist, Dr T.E. Rogers. It is a joy to any writer to find such a kindred spirit who relishes the challenge