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R.A. Smith

148*

R.A. Smith 148* v West IndiesBack to boards

This was one of two occasions that Robin Smith would appear on the Lord’s Honours Board, with the second occurrence later in the same summer, however this unbeaten 148 against the West Indies in 1991, batting at number six, must go down as one of his greatest innings.

After England had beaten the Windies at Headingley, the tourists were eager for revenge in the second Test at Lord’s and a Carl Hooper century inspired them to 419 all out after they won the toss and elected to bat first.

England’s reply got off to a disastrous start, as an attack including Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall and Courtney Walsh reduced them to 16 for 3, and the hosts were still teetering at 84 for 5 when Graham Gooch departed.

Smith though had other ideas, as he and Jack Russell put on 96 for the sixth wicket, before he found another willing partner in Derek Pringle, the pair adding 89 for the seventh.

Man of the Match Smith batted for almost seven hours and helped England recover to 354 all out, a lead of only 65 for the West Indies.

However, the rain played its part for most of the final two days’ play and the match ended in a draw. The five-match series was drawn 2-2.

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