Skip to playerSkip to main content
Ian Smith 41 off 31 Balls 53 Mins 6 Fours vs Pakistan at Lahore Ist Test in November 1984-85. Ian Smith, one of New Zealand’s finest wicketkeepers, was known for his attacking batting and sharp glovework during the golden era of the 1980s. Famous among teammates as “Stockley,” he became a vital part of the Kiwi side with 176 Test dismissals and a record-breaking 173-run knock against India at Eden Park. Smith’s fearless approach, fast strike rate, and later his smooth shift to commentary made him one of cricket’s most admired figures. Watch this video to learn about Ian Smith’s incredible journey—from his early days, heroic innings, to his life behind the mic. During the 1984–85 tour of Pakistan, Smith showed his attacking instincts once again, scoring a brisk 41 off just 31 balls in the first Test at Lahore. At a time when Test cricket was often played at a cautious pace, Ian Smith stood out for his fearless, forward-thinking approach—always believing that quick scoring could lift both his team and the crowd.

Hashtags:
#IanSmith #NewZealandCricket #CricketLegends #KiwiWicketkeeper #CricketHistory #IanSmith173 #NZCricket #CricketCommentator #TestCricket #CricketFans

Category

🥇
Sports
Transcript
00:00Ian Smith was a naturally aggressive bestman who loved to play his shorts in every form
00:06of the game.
00:07Known affectionately by his teammates as Stockley, he was one of the standout figures during
00:12New Zealand's golden cricketing era of the 1980s.
00:16Over his 12-year international career, Ian Smith earned a reputation as one of the finest
00:22wicket-keepers in the world.
00:24In the 1984-85 tour of Pakistan, Ian Smith showcased his attacking instinct once again
00:32and played a brisk innings in the first test at Lahore.
00:35Let's watch this innings.
00:54Smith, 7 run and 2-7 run.
01:00New Zealand, 83, 6-0 out.
01:02Mid wicket-keepers in the mid wicket-keepers in the mid wicket-keepers in the mid wicket-keepers
01:08and 3-7 run.
01:26foreign
01:40foreign
01:46foreign
01:54was short charm type of horror Smith case for me Joe Pondra Charm case
02:01office a museum come with me for the time
02:07oh my gosh a short
02:11a child
02:14I'm not much a short time middle electric and get out of order in the day again
02:18I don't know if you don't know if it's been saying we'll get to say
02:23yeah, yeah, I'm gonna
02:28I didn't turn with you again back to places
02:31I got a boy for a person's
02:32I'm gonna get it
02:34I'm gonna have a party
02:36I'm gonna have a party
02:37I'm gonna have a party
02:41I'm gonna get it again
02:43I'm gonna have a party
02:45I'm gonna get it
02:48Okay, let's go.
03:18foreign
03:24foreign
03:30foreign
03:36foreign
03:42foreign
03:46foreign
03:52foreign
04:00foreign
04:14But he didn't hit it, but he was a king of Umar.
04:18He didn't hit it and he didn't hit it.
04:21And he hit it and he hit it.
04:23He hit it in New Zealand.
04:26So now that's the end of that partnership.
04:34120 for the loss of 7 wickets now in New Zealand.
04:40Save 200 plus.
04:48And that's gone. Yes.
04:51Straight into the slips.
04:56And that's the end of a very brave innings.
04:58It was a fine delivery actually.
05:00Left him.
05:01Ball pitching.
05:03Off stump going away from him and he was trying to force it.
05:07And he got an outside edge.
05:09You see the replay.
05:11He was trying to force it on that iron.
05:14Very nicely caught by Iqbal Qasim.
05:17So that's a very welcome and a happy return to test cricket for Iqbal Qasim.
05:24He's got two wickets and he's taken that catch as he used to do in days of old.
05:28Let's have another look at it.
05:31Azeem Huffy is picking up another wicket.
05:33He's bowling to Smith.
05:35Which is proving such a nuisance if I may add from the Pakistan point of view.
05:40And there's that catch.
05:41Ian Smith held several New Zealand records including 176 test dismissals and 426 in first-class cricket.
05:52Taking over from Warren Lee's in the 1980-81 season.
05:57Ian Smith quickly established himself as a reliable and compact wicketkeeper with sharp reflexes.
06:03Along with his glove work, he became a tough and determined lower order batsman.
06:08Capable of rescuing innings or changing the game's rhythms with quick runs.
06:13After hanging up his gloves, Ian Smith made up a smooth transition into commentary.
06:19Becoming one of the most recognized voices in the world cricket.
06:22His insight and humor continued to add color to the game from the commentary box.
06:27By the end of his playing days, Ian Smith boosted the second highest strike rate among Odiay bestmen who had played at least 20 innings.
06:36An impressive 99 runs per 100 balls.
06:39Just behind Lance Keynes, one of his most remarkable achievements came in the 1990 at Eden Park.
06:46Where he hammered 173 runs of 136 balls against India.
06:51The highest test score ever by a number nine batsman.
06:54In 1984-85, he also played a pissed 41 runs innings in just 31 balls in the first test at Lahore.
07:02At a time when test cricket was often played at a cautious pace.
07:07Ian Smith stood out for his fearless, forward-thinking approach, always believing that quick scoring could lift both his team and the crowd.
07:15If you like this video, please comment, share and subscribe. Thank you very much.
Be the first to comment
Add your comment

Recommended