Born on 15 October 1958 in Durban, South Africa,[1] Smith was unable to play Test cricket for South Africa due to their exclusion from international sport because of the apartheid regime, but played for England through his parents' nationality.
Ironically his opportunity was assisted by the fact that a number of alternative England opening batsmen such as Graham Gooch and Wayne Larkins were banned from international cricket after participating in a rebel tour of South Africa in 1982.
Smith had the misfortune to be dismissed first ball by Richard Hadlee on Test debut at Lord's in 1983 (although he made 43 in the second innings as England won the match),[2] but was selected the next winter for the tour to New Zealand and Pakistan.
[6] After he toured Sri Lanka with an England 'B' side in 1986,[7] his last Test came in 1986 at Leeds against India as an injury replacement for David Gower.
[3] His brother made his England debut at Leeds, two years after Smith had played his last Test on the same ground, and went onto a more extensive international career.