10 Facts About Tiger Smith

When, after losing his Test place Lilley decided to concentrate on batting, Tiger Smith took his opportunity remarkably well, and developed a remarkable understanding with Frank Foster in his first full season in 1910.

Tiger Smith had not scored one half century before 1911 but advanced to over 800 runs with a century against Surrey at Edgbaston.

Tiger Smith made eight catches and one remarkable stumping off Foster and took the rising, spinning bowling of Sydney Barnes better than any other 'keeper before or since.

Warwickshire unsurprisingly declined to mid-table, but Tiger Smith maintained his form so well in 1913 with a personal high 68 dismissals that he was chosen for the South African tour.

However, in the postwar years Tiger Smith was a mainstay of Warwickshire cricket right up to his retirement at the end of 1930.

Tiger Smith stood as an umpire in eight Test matches in England, starting with 2nd Test between England and West Indies at Old Trafford in July 1933, then the 2nd Test between England and South Africa at Lord's in June 1935, the 2nd and 3rd Tests between England and New Zealand in 1937, the 2nd Test and 4th Tests between England and Australia Headingley in 1938, and finally the 1st and 2nd Test between England and West Indies in 1939.

Tiger Smith became coach of Warwickshire after the war, a position which he held until the end of 1955 and which saw the county win its second County Championship in 1951.

Tiger Smith umpired a few further first-class matches until 1953, mostly involving Warwickshire against non-county sides, such as Cambridge University or Combined Services.

Tiger Smith was always renowned for his fighting qualities both on and off the cricket field and for his razor-sharp sense of humour which made him popular throughout his association with the game of cricket.

At the time of his death, Tiger Smith was the oldest living Test cricketer and was the last surviving pre-First World War player.