LBW Smith is a 1958 Australian radio serial drama from the Australian Broadcasting Commission. It was produced to coincide with the 1958–59 Ashes cricket series between Australia and England, and it is notable for its innovative production which incorporated the results of games in the scripts at the last minute.
The serial was written by George F. Kerr who was the ABC's most prolific writer at the time.
Premise
The cricket-mad Duke of Bootle from England and Mrs Flinders from Australia bet on who will win the Ashes. Both travel around Australia following the Test matches. They discover a player, LBW Smith, who might be eligible for either country.
Cast
Don Pascoe as the Duke of Bootle
Lionel Stevens as Cavendish the valet
Queenie Ashton as Mrs Kev Flinders
Richard Meikle as LBW Smith
Madi Hedd as Liz
Ric Hutton
June Salter
Production
The series incorporated elements of the real-life Ashes including up-to-date scores, crowd noises, and cameos from commentators such as Johnny Moyes, Alec Bedser and Alan McGilvray. The writing of the serial was adjusted at the last minute for what actually happened in the games.
Richie Benaud appeared as himself in the final episode.