Early in his career he was considered promising as a batsman and scarcely bowled, but his batting did not develop and although he often made runs he was largely "a useful hitter".
[5] "Tall and strong, he bowled fairly fast, with a good high action that made the ball gather pace from the pitch," Wisden wrote.
[6] Geary's return to fitness in 1929 meant fewer opportunities for Smith, however, and over the two following seasons, 1930 and 1931, he appeared in only half the first team's matches and took only around 30 or so wickets each year.
[5] Smith's second breakthrough season was 1932 when he appeared in all matches and compensated for the decline in other bowlers such as Snary and Alan Shipman by taking 83 wickets at an average of 25.73.
[5] In fact, Smith continued to prosper as his colleagues declined: in 1933, Leicestershire experienced what Wisden termed "their worst season since they were promoted to first-class rank in 1895".
[5] Over the next four seasons, Leicestershire's fortunes declined to the point where they were bottom of the County Championship again in 1939; Smith never achieved again the number of wickets or the economy he had done in 1935, but he remained a significant wicket-taker right through to 1939.