🔗 Share this article Cricket Mourns England Batting Great, Who Has Died Aged 62. During the period preceding the high-octane Twenty20 revolution, no one struck the cricket ball with greater ferocity than Robin Smith. Shaped with the physique of a fighter yet blessed with the quick feet of his ballet dancer mother, he unleashed strokes – especially his trademark square cut – with such immense force that they left dents in perimeter fencing while crushing the hopes of the opposition. The cricketer's death comes after a prolonged illness, was a man of profound contradictions. Outwardly, he was the epitome of a brave, front-foot player, famed for epic duels with the world's fastest bowlers. But behind this mask of confidence lay a man constantly questioning his own worth, a conflict he concealed while on the field that subsequently led to battles with alcoholism and depression. Sheer Bravery and a Thirst for Danger His courage facing quick bowlers was unquestionably genuine. But the driving force, was a complex blend of pure grit and a self-confessed addiction to adrenaline. Teammates wondered if he was neurologically unique, actively craving the masochistic test of facing extreme pace, which demanded instant responses and a willingness to suffer physical punishment. The ultimate demonstration came during his legendary innings of 148 not out for England against the West Indies at Lord's Cricket Ground in 1991. On a difficult pitch, against the rampant a pair of legendary pacemen, Smith stood firm but thrived, relishing the physical duel of bouncers and boundaries. He admitted afterwards that it left him feeling “tingling”. A Stellar Test Career Batting primarily as a middle-order batsman, Smith played for England over 62 Test matches and 71 ODIs between 1988 and 1996. He scored 4,236 Test runs averaging 43.67, which contained nine centuries. In the one-day arena, he compiled 2,419 runs at an average nearing forty. Perhaps his most ferocious knock occurred in 1993 at Edgbaston facing the Aussies, blasting 167 ruthless runs. The innings was so powerful that even the then commendations from the country's leader. Sadly, a recurring theme, his team still failed to win the match. The Moniker and a Troubled Soul Dubbed ‘Judge’ after a wig-like haircut that looked like a judge's wig, his batting average in Tests remains highly respectable, particularly given he played during a period of English struggle. Many believe he was discarded somewhat unfairly post a fractious series to South Africa in the winter of 95/96. In his own words, he felt like a dual personality: ‘the Judge’, the ruthless on-field warrior who lived for conflict, and the man himself, a vulnerable person. Each persona suppressed the other. His staunch allegiance sometimes caused him problems. One well-known episode saw him defend fellow Hampshire player Malcolm Marshall following racist slurs in a hotel bar. Following unsuccessful appeals, he punched the main aggressor, an act which fractured his hand leading to six weeks of cricket. Struggles in Retirement The transition to life after professional sport was immensely challenging. The adrenaline rush was substituted for the routine demands of running companies. Attempts at and a wine bar eventually failed. Compounded by marital difficulties and serious money troubles, he fell victim to addiction and profound despair. A move to Australia with his family was meant to be a reset but couldn't resolve his core problems. During his darkest hour, he considered ending his life, and was only saved from the brink through the care of family and a neighbour. His family includes his partner, Karin, his son and daughter, and his brother, Chris.
During the period preceding the high-octane Twenty20 revolution, no one struck the cricket ball with greater ferocity than Robin Smith. Shaped with the physique of a fighter yet blessed with the quick feet of his ballet dancer mother, he unleashed strokes – especially his trademark square cut – with such immense force that they left dents in perimeter fencing while crushing the hopes of the opposition. The cricketer's death comes after a prolonged illness, was a man of profound contradictions. Outwardly, he was the epitome of a brave, front-foot player, famed for epic duels with the world's fastest bowlers. But behind this mask of confidence lay a man constantly questioning his own worth, a conflict he concealed while on the field that subsequently led to battles with alcoholism and depression. Sheer Bravery and a Thirst for Danger His courage facing quick bowlers was unquestionably genuine. But the driving force, was a complex blend of pure grit and a self-confessed addiction to adrenaline. Teammates wondered if he was neurologically unique, actively craving the masochistic test of facing extreme pace, which demanded instant responses and a willingness to suffer physical punishment. The ultimate demonstration came during his legendary innings of 148 not out for England against the West Indies at Lord's Cricket Ground in 1991. On a difficult pitch, against the rampant a pair of legendary pacemen, Smith stood firm but thrived, relishing the physical duel of bouncers and boundaries. He admitted afterwards that it left him feeling “tingling”. A Stellar Test Career Batting primarily as a middle-order batsman, Smith played for England over 62 Test matches and 71 ODIs between 1988 and 1996. He scored 4,236 Test runs averaging 43.67, which contained nine centuries. In the one-day arena, he compiled 2,419 runs at an average nearing forty. Perhaps his most ferocious knock occurred in 1993 at Edgbaston facing the Aussies, blasting 167 ruthless runs. The innings was so powerful that even the then commendations from the country's leader. Sadly, a recurring theme, his team still failed to win the match. The Moniker and a Troubled Soul Dubbed ‘Judge’ after a wig-like haircut that looked like a judge's wig, his batting average in Tests remains highly respectable, particularly given he played during a period of English struggle. Many believe he was discarded somewhat unfairly post a fractious series to South Africa in the winter of 95/96. In his own words, he felt like a dual personality: ‘the Judge’, the ruthless on-field warrior who lived for conflict, and the man himself, a vulnerable person. Each persona suppressed the other. His staunch allegiance sometimes caused him problems. One well-known episode saw him defend fellow Hampshire player Malcolm Marshall following racist slurs in a hotel bar. Following unsuccessful appeals, he punched the main aggressor, an act which fractured his hand leading to six weeks of cricket. Struggles in Retirement The transition to life after professional sport was immensely challenging. The adrenaline rush was substituted for the routine demands of running companies. Attempts at and a wine bar eventually failed. Compounded by marital difficulties and serious money troubles, he fell victim to addiction and profound despair. A move to Australia with his family was meant to be a reset but couldn't resolve his core problems. During his darkest hour, he considered ending his life, and was only saved from the brink through the care of family and a neighbour. His family includes his partner, Karin, his son and daughter, and his brother, Chris.