Tom Smith to Retire from Professional Cricket, Set to Begin Coaching Career

Gloucestershire’s long-serving left-arm spinner Tom Smith has announced that he will retire from professional cricket at the end of the county’s ongoing T20 Blast campaign, concluding a distinguished 12-year stint with the club.

Smith, 37, joined Gloucestershire in 2013 and has since become a mainstay of their white-ball setup. With 154 T20 wickets to his name, he sits second in the club's all-time list and fifth overall in T20 Blast history. Across all formats, he has taken 301 wickets, marking him as one of the most consistent performers in county cricket over the past decade.

Last season, Smith played a pivotal role in Gloucestershire’s dramatic T20 Blast title triumph over Somerset at Edgbaston. He was also part of the squad that lifted the One-Day Cup in 2015 — two standout achievements in a career full of impact moments.

However, after featuring in just five matches this season and with Gloucestershire unlikely to qualify for the quarter-finals, Thursday’s fixture against Sussex at Cheltenham is expected to be his final home appearance.

“It feels like the right time,” Smith wrote in an open letter published on the club’s website. “Over the past few seasons, I've been fortunate to begin building a coaching career alongside playing, and I'm now ready to give that my full focus.”

Smith has been gradually transitioning into coaching, having signed a one-year contract extension last November that also involved a mentorship role with the club’s backroom staff. His contribution off the field is already being recognised as a valuable asset to Gloucestershire’s future.

In his farewell message, Smith expressed deep gratitude to the club and its supporters, particularly for the support shown to him during a tragic chapter in his life — the death of his wife, Laura, in 2018.

“2018 was the hardest year of my life… the love and support I received from everyone at the club during that time meant more than I can ever say,” he wrote. “To Gloucestershire, thank you for believing in me. These past 13 seasons have been incredibly special for both me and my family.”

Smith also paid tribute to his three daughters and his partner Georgie, thanking them for their “love, patience, and support” throughout his career.

Mark Alleyne, Gloucestershire's head coach, praised Smith’s legacy both as a player and as a developing coach.

“With 186 white-ball appearances, Tom has been one of the most consistent spinners in the country,” Alleyne said. “As he begins a new chapter in coaching, we’re confident he’ll bring the same energy and commitment that defined his playing days. His contribution to Gloucestershire cricket has been outstanding and will never be forgotten.”

As Smith prepares to move into coaching full-time, he leaves behind a legacy built on resilience, skill, and leadership — both on and off the field.