Bears legend MJK Smith celebrates 90th birthday at Edgbaston - Edgbaston
Warwickshire and England legend MJK Smith returned to Edgbaston on Sunday to celebrate his 90th birthday and watch his beloved Bears in Vitality Blast action.
edgbaston.comHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting.
- MJK Smith, the former England and Warwickshire captain (Mike J. K. Smith, commonly abbreviated MJK Smith), has been reported to have died at the age of 92. Multiple outlets and Warwickshire County Cricket Club confirmed his passing on May 18, 2026. This includes BBC Sport coverage and contemporaneous obituaries from major outlets.[5][6][10]
Key highlights from his career
- He captained England in 25 of his 50 Test matches and had a long first-class career primarily with Warwickshire, spanning nearly two decades. He earned an OBE in 1976 for his services to cricket.[6][5]
- He also represented England in rugby union, making him one of England’s notable dual internationals in the sport’s history. Tributes have highlighted his leadership and longevity in the game.[5]
Context and tributes
- The news prompted tributes from Warwickshire and the cricket community, including moments of silence at matches and outlets reflecting on his impact as a captain and player during a long era for English cricket.[6][5]
If you’d like, I can pull more details about his Test leadership record, notable innings, or the tributes and obituaries from specific outlets, and summarize them with direct quotes. I can also look up photos or provide a brief timeline of his career milestones.