Smith commented that "Norman would have run Fred's legs off him if he had been allowed". He went down the order in 1958, when the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) asked Warwickshire to promote Smith to develop him for a possible England opening spot.
Smith noted that "Norman would have pursued Fred's legs if given permission". In 1958, after the MCC asked Warwickshire to advance Smith for possible development into an England opening position, he was demoted from his order.