England cricket icon Robin Smith has passed away at the age of 62 while in Australia for the Ashes series. The former batsman, who represented his country in 62 Test matches, was confirmed to have died by his close friend and ex-teammate Kevan James on BBC Radio Solent.
Smith, known as ‘The Judge,’ was a talented right-handed batsman who made his Test debut in 1988 against the West Indies and went on to achieve significant success in the Ashes series. His highest Test score of 175 was scored in response to Brian Lara’s record-breaking innings of 375 in Antigua. Throughout his Test career, Smith accumulated 4,236 runs at an average of 43.67 with nine centuries.
In addition to his Test performances, Smith also represented England in 71 one-day internationals, notably scoring 167 not out against Australia in 1993, which was a record for an English player until 2016. Despite retiring from international cricket in 1996, he continued to play for Hampshire until 2003, becoming one of the county’s most celebrated players.
However, Smith faced personal struggles with alcoholism and depression post-retirement, leading to hospitalization and battles with his mental health. In a recent interview, he admitted to ongoing challenges with alcohol and the impact of his father’s passing on his well-being. Smith emphasized the importance of seeking support and opening up about mental health issues to prevent isolation and self-harm.
The cricketing community mourns the loss of a talented player and acknowledges Smith’s contributions to the sport both on and off the field.