Neil Durden-Smith (born 18 August 1933) is an English former sports commentator. He was previously a naval officer and played a small number of first-class cricket matches.
Life and career Durden-Smith was educated at Aldenham School and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon. His service as an officer in the Royal Navy from 1952 to 1963 included a period as aide-de-camp to the Governor-General of New Zealand, Lord Cobham, from 1957 to 1959. He worked as a radio and television sports commentator and producer in England from the 1960s to the 1990s, often covering hockey.
Durden-Smith played four matches of first-class cricket in the 1960s. His highest scores were 33 and 50 in his first match, for Combined Services against Nottinghamshire in 1961.
Durden-Smith was appointed OBE in 1997.NEIL DURDEN-SMITH OBE British Sports Commentator Pictured at Buckingham Palace after receiving his OBE He was married to television presenter Judith Chalmers from 1964 until her death in May 2026. They have a son, Mark, who is also a television presenter, and a daughter.
References
External links Neil Durden-Smith at CricketArchive
Neil Durden-Smith in Debrett's People of Today