Leslie O’Brien Fleetwood-Smith, lovingly known as “Chuck,” was an Australian cricket player known for his exceptional left-arm spin bowling. Born on March 17, 1908, in Melbourne, Australia, Fleetwood-Smith’s cricketing career spanned from 1935 to 1938. He played a crucial role in Australia’s success during the Ashes series and had a remarkable record of 42 wickets in 10 Test matches.
Fleetwood-Smith’s cricketing journey began in a rather unconventional way. As a schoolboy, he suffered a broken right arm, which forced him to adapt his style and become a left-arm spinner. This change in his technique proved to be a turning point in his career. Known for his mastery of the googly and “chinaman” deliveries, Fleetwood-Smith consistently bamboozled opposition batsmen.
In 1934, Fleetwood-Smith embarked on his first tour of England, where he made an immediate impact. During the tour, he took an impressive 119 wickets, with a remarkable performance of three wickets in four deliveries against Oxford University, at an average of 18.06 runs per wicket. Despite his outstanding performance, Fleetwood-Smith had to wait until 1935 to make his Test debut, as he faced tough competition from legendary spinners such as C.V. Grimmett and W.J. O’Reilly.
However, Fleetwood-Smith’s moment arrived in the 1936-37 Ashes series against England. After losing the first two Tests, Australia fought back to reclaim the Ashes, and Fleetwood-Smith played a crucial role in their success. In the fourth Test at Melbourne, his match analysis of 10 wickets for 239 runs showcased his ability to dismantle the English batting lineup.
In 1938, Fleetwood-Smith returned to England for another Ashes series. During the tour, he participated in four Tests and delivered a standout performance at Leeds, securing match figures of 7 for 107. This remarkable effort, alongside his partner-in-crime O’Reilly’s 10 for 122, sealed the series victory for Australia.
However, Fleetwood-Smith’s final Test appearance at The Oval proved to be a challenging one. He, along with his fellow Australian bowlers, faced a relentless onslaught from English batsman Leonard Hutton, who scored a record-breaking 364 runs. As a result, Fleetwood-Smith’s analysis of one wicket for 298 runs from 87 overs reflected the overwhelming dominance of the English side.
Throughout his career, Fleetwood-Smith also represented Victoria in domestic cricket, taking 246 wickets in 40 Sheffield Shield matches at an average of 24.56 runs per wicket. Notably, he achieved the rare feat of dismissing nine batsmen in an innings on two occasions, against Tasmania in 1932-33 and South Australia in 1937-38.
Despite experiencing financial difficulties later in life, Fleetwood-Smith received immense support from his friends and was able to overcome his hardships. He passed away in a Melbourne hospital on March 16, 1969, at the age of 60.
Leslie O’Brien Fleetwood-Smith will forever be remembered as a highly skilled left-arm spinner who proudly represented Australia on the international stage. His ability to consistently outfox batsmen with his deceptive spin and variations made him a formidable force in the world of cricket. His contributions to the sport will live on, inspiring future generations to take up the art of spin bowling.
