 It was his best series with 306 runs (51.00) and when Ted Dexter retired after losing 1–0 to Bobby Simpson’s Australia in 1964 Smith was made captain for England's last tour of South Africa before the Basil d'Oliveira Crisis.He won 1–0 against the talented Springboks, the last captain to defeat them in a Test series until 1996–97.He beat a weak New Zealand 3–0 and lost 1–0 to South Africa at home in 1965, but was appointed captain for the MCC tour of Australia in 1965-66 with Cowdrey as vice-captain, despite support for the Kent captain at Lord's.