Born on 3 December 1857 in Ruddington, Arthur Price Smith appeared for XXII Colts v Notts in March 1880 and for Notts Colts v Yorkshire Colts in May 1880, scoring 71. He was a good steady right-hand batsman, right-arm medium-pace bowler and fielded at point. He made his First-Class debut for the English Residents versus American Born at Germantown Cricket Ground, Philadelphia, in October 1880, taking 5-23 in the second innings. He played in the same fixture at the same venue in July 1881 where he took 9-96 in the match. He played for the Belmont club whilst in the States.
He made his first team debut for Notts v Surrey at Trent Bridge on 14 and 15 May 1883, scoring 26. During that year he was engaged by Nottingham Commercial CC and was in tremendous form, hitting three centuries for the club, the highest being 151no v Loughborough Park when he carried his bat through the completed innings. His second and last First-Class game for Notts was against MCC at Trent Bridge in September 1883 in which he scored 8 and 1.
In 1884 he was engaged at Rochdale, remaining there two summers, and in 1886 began his long association with Oldham, appearing for that club at least until 1904. These engagements enabled him to qualify by residence for Lancashire and Smith made his debut for that county against Derbyshire at Old Trafford in May 1886. In 1891 he began to appear fairly often for Lancashire and remained in the side for four years, until 1894. His two First-Class centuries were 124 versus Gloucestershire at Bristol in 1891 and 111 v Sussex at Hove in 1892. His final First-Class game was for XI of Lancashire versus XI of Yorkshire at Scarborough in September 1894. In 52 First-Class games he scored 1,508 runs @19.33 and took 44 wickets @15.06.
He umpired the Lancashire v Yorkshire match at Old Trafford in June 1885.
Having worked in the textile industry as a machine fitter and latterly a tool fitter, Arthur Smith was in 1893, mine host of the Old Soldier Inn at Oldham, eventually retiring to Kegworth. During a visit to London, he died on 3 June 1937 at the Prince of Wales General Hospital, Tottenham, aged 79. His father John Smith (1835-1889), who was also a licensee, played two First-Class games for Notts in 1864.
June 2020
Nottinghamshire First-Class Number: 180