The cricket world is in mourning following the sudden death of former England batsman Robin Smith at the age of 62. The charismatic player, affectionately known as 'The Judge', passed away unexpectedly at his apartment in South Perth, Australia, on Monday 1st December.
A Family's Tribute to a Cricket Hero
In a heartfelt statement, Smith's family confirmed the tragic news, expressing their profound sense of loss. The statement identified him as Robin Arnold Smith, a beloved father to Harrison and Margaux and a cherished brother to Christopher. The cause of his death is currently unknown, with the family requesting that speculation be avoided pending a postmortem investigation.
Born in Durban, South Africa, in 1963 to parents John and Joy, Smith later made Western Australia his home over two decades ago. He retired from first-class cricket with a monumental tally of more than 26,000 runs, including 61 centuries. Forty-nine of those hundreds were scored for his beloved Hampshire, where he became a club legend.
A Ferocious Talent on the International Stage
Smith earned his reputation as a powerful and brave middle-order batsman for England, representing his adopted country in 62 Tests between 1988 and 1996. He maintained a commendable average of 43 during a challenging period for the national Test side. His square-cut shot was renowned for its sheer ferocity, considered by many to be unsurpassed in the game's history.
His family's tribute highlighted his rise as one of England's most popular players, a dashing batsman who collected legions of admirers. Among his most iconic performances was an unbeaten 167 in a one-day international against Australia at Edgbaston, an innings forever etched in English cricket folklore.
Personal Struggles and a Recent Public Appearance
Despite his on-field success, Smith faced significant battles with mental health and alcoholism after his retirement from the game in 2004. In a candid interview with Daily Mail Sport last week, he revealed his mental health began to deteriorate after being dropped from the England squad in 1996. He admitted to spending 12 years drinking a bottle of vodka a day, a habit that led to a life-threatening battle with cirrhosis of the liver just last year.
Smith had spoken of a recent brush with death, where doctors gave him just a five per cent chance of survival. More recently, his personal life was impacted by his partner of 17 years, Karin, undergoing emergency stem-cell treatment in Europe for multiple sclerosis.
In a poignant final public appearance, Smith was seen at the first Ashes Test at Perth's Optus Stadium only last week, where he caught up with former teammates Graham Gooch and David Gower. His family has now asked for privacy from both the media and cricket followers as they come to terms with their bereavement.
