Peter Smith

Born in Portsmouth in 1962, Peter Smith's love of cricket was first discovered listening to overnight commentaries from Australia on a small radio under the bed clothes, his innings still in single figures. Attending non-playing schools meant he didn't get a proper game or coaching till aged 14, but went on to play at school team and minor club level as a leg-spinning all rounder. The career highlight was learning to bowl a well-disguised googly, aged 17. Peter was inspired by hearing the contrasting styles of John Arlott and Brian Johnston. He's been a radio journalist for the past 10 years, mostly in Dorset and Wiltshire, whose most notable cricket export is Bill Frindall. He's now freelancing in newsrooms in Hampshire and West Sussex, taking any chance to see play at The Rosebowl, Hove and the picturesque Arundel Castle ground, where the MCC play Sri Lanka 'A' in July.