Lankford Smith, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Lankford Smith

New Zealand association footballer

Date of Birth: 21-Dec-1914

Place of Birth: Ngaio, New Zealand, Wellington Region, New Zealand

Date of Death: 28-Nov-1978

Profession: association football player, cricketer

Nationality: New Zealand

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Lankford Daniel Smith (21 December 1914 – 28 November 1978) was a football (soccer) player who represented New Zealand at international level.
He was also an accomplished cricketer, playing first-class cricket for Otago from 1935 to 1957.Smith played two official A-international matches for the New Zealand national football team in 1948, both against visiting trans-Tasman neighbours Australia, the first a 0-7 loss on 28 August, followed by a 0-4 loss on 4 September.A middle-order batsman and left-arm spinner, Smith captained Otago in 1945-46 and from 1947-48 to 1955-56, leading the province to victory in the Plunket Shield in 1947-48, 1950–51 and 1952-53.
He scored 2281 runs at 24.52, and took 85 wickets at 38.23.
He scored his only century in the victory over Central Districts in Dunedin that gave Otago the 1952-53 shield.
Dick Brittenden said that apart from his batting, bowling and "inspiring example in the field", "perhaps his greatest asset as a captain was his firm belief in the ability of his team.
He was so deeply convinced it was the better side that it very often was."