Cricket Mourns England Batting Great, Who Has Died Aged 62.

Long before the dawn of the frenetic T20 revolution, no one struck a cricket ball with such sheer force than Robin Smith. Shaped like a boxer yet blessed with the agile movement of his ballet dancer mother, he produced shots – notably his ferocious square cut – with such devastating power they could dent in boundary hoardings and deflated the hopes of the opposition.

Smith has passed away after a prolonged illness, was a man filled with stark contrasts. On the surface, he was the very image of courageous, aggressive batting, renowned for thrilling battles with the world's fastest bowlers. However, beneath this show of machismo was a deeply insecure individual, a battle he masked throughout his career that subsequently contributed to battles with alcoholism and depression.

Sheer Bravery Coupled with a Craving for the Rush

His courage facing quick bowlers was utterly authentic. The motivation, however, was a curious mix of pure grit and an admitted need for the rush. Teammates wondered if he was neurologically unique, actively craving the masochistic test of standing up to thunderbolts, which calls for lightning reflexes and a high tolerance for pain.

This trait was never better displayed during an iconic unbeaten 148 for England versus the mighty West Indies at Lord's Cricket Ground in 1991. On a difficult pitch, facing the furious onslaught of Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, he did not merely endure but thrived, his eyes reportedly sparkling the brutal exchange of bouncers and boundaries. In retrospect, he said that it left him feeling “tingling”.

An Impressive Test Career

Playing largely at number five or six, Smith played for England across 62 Tests and 71 ODIs during an eight-year international span. He scored over four thousand Test runs at an average of 43-plus, featuring nine hundreds. In the 50-over format, he compiled almost two and a half thousand runs at an average nearing forty.

Perhaps his most ferocious knock came in 1993 against Australia facing the Aussies, blasting a brutal 167 runs. The display was so impressive that he was reportedly personally congratulated the Prime Minister, John Major. Yet, in a cruel twist, England ended up losing the game.

The Moniker and a Troubled Soul

Dubbed ‘the Judge’ after a wig-like haircut that looked like a judge's wig, his batting average in Tests remains highly respectable, particularly given his career spanned in a losing era. A common view is he was discarded too hastily by selectors post a fractious series to South Africa in the winter of 95/96.

In his own words, he was two people: ‘Judge’, the tough, confrontational competitor who thrived on battle, and the man himself, a vulnerable person. Each persona suppressed the other.

An unshakeable sense of loyalty sometimes caused him problems. Most famously saw him defend West Indian colleague Malcolm Marshall from racist abuse in Leicester. After words failed, he floored the ringleader, a move that broke his own hand and cost him six weeks of cricket.

The Difficult Transition

Adapting to a world post-cricket proved exceptionally difficult. The thrill of competition was replaced by the ordinary pressures of running companies. Attempts at bat manufacturing eventually failed. Coupled with marital difficulties and serious money troubles, he descended into heavy drinking and deep depression.

Relocating to Perth with his family was meant to be a reset but couldn't resolve his personal demons. In a moment of deep crisis, he considered ending his life, and was only saved from that decision by the intervention of his son and a compassionate neighbour.

Robin Smith is survived by Karin, his partner, his two children, and his brother, Chris.