Clay Smith, arguably the most technically sound batsman the Island has ever produced, ended weeks of speculation yesterday by announcing his retirement from international cricket.

During an international career spanning nearly two decades, Smith helped to put Bermuda cricket firmly on the map — first in the former Red Stripe Bowl in the West Indies and then as a member of the Island’s national team that qualified and competed at this year’s World Cup in the Caribbean.

But over the past few years he’s been dogged by injuries and missed much of the build-up to the recent World Cup following a knee operation.

He began his career at a tender age at St.George’s Cricket Club who he later led to multiple league and cup titles and Cup Match glory at Wellington Oval in 1997 before moving over to nearby St.David’s to enjoy an equally successful stint in the capacity of player/coach.

In 2004, Smith joined elder brother Wendell in the annals of Cup Match history when he became the first batsman to score three centuries in the classic. But he is probably best remembered for scoring back-to-back centuries against a Courtney Walsh-led Jamaica and the Windward Islands in the 1997 Red Stripe competition in the Caribbean.

A former Male Athlete of the Year, the specialists batsman topped the 2004 ICC Intercontinental Cup batting averages and helped qualify the Island for the 2005 ICC Trophy.

In a letter informing Bermuda Cricket Board of his decision, Smith wrote: “I would like to take this opportunity to inform the public about my official retirement from international cricket. God has blessed me with a special talent and I am grateful for all that he has done for me. I have represented my country for 18 years and I think it’s fitting to bow out now.

“It has been my dream for as long as I can remember to play in the World Cup, and having achieved that there is simply nothing else for me to accomplish or to prove as a player.”

“It has taken some time for me to make up my mind simply because I do not believe in giving my place to a youngster, but rather making him earn it as I had to do when I first came into international cricket. I can recall being Bermuda’s MVP for the season, only cricketer to score 1000 runs in the season and still could not get into my national team just prior to my first ICC back in 1994,” he continued.

“However, I didn’t give up, when given my chance I produced and because of that experience it helped make me a more determined and better player. So for me to step down like this is tough, but in my heart I know I am doing the right thing and at the right time.”

Smith thanked wife Nicole - daughter of legendary North Village striker Ralph (Gumbo) Bean - and his entire family for the sacrifices they had made to allow him to realise a passionate dream of appearing in the World Cup.

“I want to thank my brothers Wendell and Ray who have been my inspiration throughout my career. Most of all, I want to thank the players that I played with,” he added. “The memories will stay with me for a lifetime. Special thanks go out to the Board’s fitness team, Craig and Bertha (Brown) and my personal physiotherapist Dee because without them I would have never even made it to the World Cup.”

He also thanked the Bermuda public for their support and encouragement over the years, but reserved special mention for childhood friends Dean Minors, Troy Hall and Dwayne Richardson. “Not a day in the summer would pass when you wouldn’t find us four playing cricket at Mullet Bay Park as kids, that’s where it all started. I can remember Calvin Richardson making us bats to play with when we only had a piece of board to use,” Smith recalled.

“To the St.George’s Cricket Club and its players I say thank you. It is at St.George’s that I learned my mental toughness and gathered my will to win. I promise one way I will be back to repay you for all that you have given me.”

Smith is coaching at Wellington Oval this season at the youth level, and has been a key cog in the club’s batting line-up in recent Cup Matches.

“As a cricketer it is now my intention to make sure that I give back to this wonderful sport that I so love. Bermuda has some talented youngsters and I will do all I can to help improve them and nurture them along,” he added.

“To my Whitney Family I say thank you for allowing me the time off to travel and play with the national team, its good to be back. Finally, I want to thank the Bermuda Cricket Board and the Bermuda Government for their vision in cricket. Together you have put in place a base from which this country can blossom and become a force in world cricket.

“As I move on to coaching, and possibly administration, I promise to do all I can to improve the overall standard of cricket in Bermuda.”