The cricket world is in mourning following the sudden death of former England batsman Robin Smith at the age of 62. Known for his ferocious square cut and gentle smile, Smith was one of the most powerful and popular cricketers of the 1990s.
A Career of Power and Unfulfilled Potential
Robin Smith transcended the struggles of the England team in his era to amass more than 6,500 runs in international cricket, scoring 13 centuries. His nickname, 'The Judge', belied a complex character plagued by self-doubt, despite his formidable presence at the crease. Fielders at point position lived in fear of his blistering cut shot.
Many believe he should have played far more than his 62 Test matches. His international career was curtailed by management who took against him for various reasons, including his outside business interests and his advocacy for the England team to use a sports psychologist.
A Recent Resurgence and Hidden Struggles
In a poignant twist, Smith had been enjoying a recent resurgence during England's Ashes tour of Australia. Less than two weeks before his death, he was invited by head coach Andrew Flintoff to address the England Lions squad in Perth. He initially doubted the young players would know who he was, but they hung on his every word and lined up for photographs.
He had been feted at Perth Stadium during the first Test and was thrilled to catch up with old friends like former middle-order partner Allan Lamb. Inspecting the pitch with Lamb, he characteristically laughed about England's decision to bat first on a green surface.
The Inner Battle Behind the Biceps
This public cheerfulness masked profound private struggles. In a moving interview last week, Smith revealed he had come close to death last year from cirrhosis of the liver, having drunk a bottle of vodka a day for 12 years. He also spoke of suicidal thoughts.
He traced his drinking to his premature dropping by England in 1996, which was followed by the end of his long marriage. The recent deaths of his parents and the serious illness of his partner, Karin, compounded his anguish.
Smith's crippling self-doubt led him to study psychology, and he long argued for England to employ a team psychologist—a suggestion dismissed by management at the time. He believed many players in his era struggled with self-belief, admitting, "Jeez, I never believed in myself. Absolutely not, never."
Despite this, his record stands tall. Three of his nine Test hundreds came against the mighty West Indies, and he averaged just under 50 in home Tests. He was a better player of spin than often remembered, averaging 63 against India. His unbeaten 167 in a one-day international against Australia at Edgbaston was a display of brutal hitting ahead of its time.
Robin Smith, the shy man behind the 'Judgey' mask, the fierce hitter with the vulnerable soul, is gone too soon. Last week he spoke of looking forward to watching the Brisbane Test on television. Now, everyone at that Test will be remembering him.
