Chris Smith was in North Otago one season but will be long remembered in the district after leading the side to Hawke Cup victory in the challenge against Manawatu.

Before travelling to Oamaru to take up a position as player-coach, he had played second eleven cricket for both Nottinghamshire and Sussex along with minor counties cricket for Oxfordshire. He had also played for the Cardiff University Centre of Cricketing Excellence and toured South Africa with the MCC Universities team.

Chris was employed by the North Otago Cricket Association as a player coach and played his club cricket for St Kevin's during the Borton Cup and Union during the holiday competition. He proved to be a major asset to the St Kevin's side as they only just missed out on a semi-finals place to Oamaru.

At Hawke Cup level, were along with captaincy of the side, Chris opened the batting and provided a handy spin bowling option. His finest moment in his brief stay will be the game in Palmerston North when he led North Otago to a comprehensive 159 run victory, taking the final three wickets in the match.