August 11, 1933 – England cricketer receives a fake Telegram about his Test call-up

West Indies toured England in 1933 for the first time after levelling the 4-match home Test series in 1929/30 that included their maiden Test win. The hosts began the 3-match Test series with an innings and 27-run win in the first match at Lord’s. The closely fought 2nd Test in Manchester ended in a draw and the Caribbean team was down to the final Test. Bod Wyatt was named the skipper for The Oval Test starting on 12th August as Douglas Jardine was injured.

A day before the Test match, Peter Smith, the leg-spinner from Essex was spending his time in a Chelmsford Cinema. A message was flashed on the screen for him to report to the county right at the moment. Smith found his father outside with a telegram in his hand. It was the telegram from the Essex Secretary that he was selected in the 12-man squad for the Test match against West Indies starting the next day.

Smith contacted the Essex Secretary, who confirmed about receiving Telegram about his selection from MCC. Smith began his packing to catch the train to London and managed to reach The Oval well before the game. He went into the change room and was getting ready for the game. Bob Wyatt, England’s captain reached shortly after Smith’s arrival and was little surprised by the spinners’ presence.

Smith went up to Wyatt and asked if he was in the playing XI and the England skipper had no idea of what to say. Peter Smith never made it to the squad and the telegram that was directed from MCC to Essex was a hoax, a cruel prank played by someone about Smith. The leg-spinner would’ve got to know that he was not in the 12-man squad had got enough time to look at the morning newspaper.

Smith’s bad luck continued in 1939 when he was set to be part of England’s touring party for the 3-match Test series in India. He was named in the squad on 2nd August but it was announced on 4th September the tour was called off due to the World War II. Smith was finally lucky to wear the England cap in 1947 at the age of 37 thanks to his exploits with the ball in the county championship.

On 17th of August in 1946, Peter Smith made his debut in the 3rd Test against India at The Oval. He had figures of 1/58 in the 21 overs he bowled in the rain-affected Test. He featured in four Tests and took only three wickets at an average of 106.33. A year later, Smith scored 163 batting at No.11 against Derbyshire, the highest ever first-class innings at this position.

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