DERRICK “SMITHY” SMITH
Today we’re taking a look back at the career of club legend and our most recent Life Member inductee, Derrick “Smithy” Smith.
Arriving at the Hill from Mt Barker for the 1993/94 season, Smithy would spend the majority of his career as a stalwart in the B Grade during the Club’s halcyon days of the 90s and early 2000s, including as a key member of the Club’s 1997/98 B Grade Premiership – in the GF he took 2/19 from 9.3 overs and chipped in with an unbeaten 38* to see the team home.
Predominately an opening bowler and determined middle/lower order batter, Smithy played at least 177 games for the club, taking in excess of 262 wickets @ 18.23 (best bowling of 7/26), scoring more than 1,513 runs @ 14.98 (highest score of 53*) and taking at least 60 catches.
Whilst Smithy would play 23 A Grade games for Wistow, his best work came in the B Grade where he took 214 wickets @ 16.69 and scored 1,140 runs @ 17.81. His best season probably came in 1998/99 when Smithy was our leading wicket taker in the B’s, taking a whopping 45 wickets @ 12.49 – one of three seasons in which he took 35 wickets or more.
Smithy would also form a formidable combination with longtime B Grade wicketkeeper and fellow Life Member, Michael “Pickle” Paech, with “caught M. Paech, bowled D. Smith” undoubtedly being one of the most frequent modes of dismissal in club history.
During the A&EHCA era (from 1983/84 to present), Smithy is the club leader in B Grade wickets taken and has taken the 3rd most total wickets for the club.
In addition to his exploits on the field, Smithy has been well known over the years for his work behind the scenes, always being involved in working bees and helping out with any works to be done around the club.
However, Smithy is probably most famous for his remarkable ability during his playing days to conveniently arrive at training week after week just in time to crack the first beverage of the evening.
CLUB HONOURS
Wistow CC Life Member – Awarded in 2022
1997/98 B Grade Premiership Player
1995/96 B Grade Bowling – Aggregate & Average – 35 wickets @ 12.51
1998/99 B Grade Bowling – Aggregate & Average – 45 wickets @ 12.49
2000/01 B Grade Bowling – Aggregate & Average – 35 wickets @ 12.83
2001/02 B Grade Batting – Average – 44.40 (222 runs)