The cricketing world is in mourning following the sudden and unexpected passing of former England batsman Robin Smith. The ex-international, affectionately known as 'The Judge', died at the age of 62, as confirmed by his county club, Hampshire, on Tuesday.
An Unexpected Loss in Perth
Robin Arnold Smith passed away at his apartment in South Perth, Australia, on Monday, December 1st. The cause of his death is currently unknown, pending a postmortem investigation. Smith had been residing in Australia. His family announced the tragic news through a statement shared by Hampshire Cricket, expressing their "deepest and most profound sense of sadness and loss."
The family remembered him as a beloved father to his children, Harrison and Margaux, and a cherished brother to Christopher. They also made a heartfelt request for sensitivity, noting that while Smith's well-documented battles with alcohol and mental health after his 2004 retirement were public knowledge, they should not lead to speculation about the circumstances of his passing.
A Glittering Career for England and Hampshire
Born in South Africa, Robin Smith represented England in 62 Test matches between 1988 and 1996, establishing himself as one of the most fearless and charismatic players of his era. He amassed 4,236 runs in Test cricket at an impressive average of 43.67, including nine centuries. In One-Day Internationals, he scored 2,419 runs in 71 matches at an average of 39.01.
His career was defined by his bravery against fast bowling. He was renowned for taking on the world's quickest bowlers with a defiant smile and incredible resilience. One of his most iconic innings was an unbeaten 167 from just 163 balls against Australia at Edgbaston in a 1993 ODI, a knock that showcased his power and ahead-of-his-time attacking flair.
Smith's connection with English cricket remained strong until the end. He had recently spent time with the England Lions squad in Perth, having been invited by coach Andrew Flintoff ahead of the first Ashes Test, a testament to his enduring legacy and respect within the game.
Tributes Pour In for a Courageous Cricketer
Tributes from the cricket community have highlighted Smith's immense talent and character. Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove hailed him as "one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time Hampshire cricket heroes." He praised Smith as "a batsman of awesome power and control" and among "the most courageous players this club has ever seen."
Richard Thompson, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, echoed these sentiments. He stated that Smith's fearless approach against hostile fast bowling gave "England fans enormous pride, and no shortage of entertainment."
Smith's family, in their statement, captured his essence perfectly: "A brave and dashing batsman, he excelled both for Hampshire and his adopted country collecting legions of admirers and friends along the way." The cricketing world has indeed lost a true fighter and an entertainer, whose contributions to the sport will be long remembered.
