Tributes Paid to England Batting Great, Aged 62.
Long before the dawn of the frenetic T20 format, no one struck a cricket ball with more raw power than Robin Smith. Constructed with the physique of a fighter yet endowed with the agile movement from his mother, a dancer, he unleashed strokes – the square cut in particular – with such violence that they left dents in advertising boards and shattered the morale of opponents.
Smith has passed away following a long period of ill health, was a man of profound contradictions. To the public eye, he appeared the embodiment of a brave, front-foot player, renowned for epic duels with the world's fastest bowlers. But behind this mask of confidence lay a person plagued by self-doubt, a conflict he kept hidden during his playing days but which later contributed to problems of alcoholism and depression.
Unflinching Guts and a Thirst for Adrenaline
His fearlessness against pace was utterly authentic. The source of this courage, involved a combination of innate toughness and a self-confessed need for the rush. Teammates wondered if he was neurologically unique, seeking out the masochistic test of facing extreme pace, which demanded lightning reflexes and an ability to absorb blows.
The ultimate demonstration came during his legendary innings of 148 not out playing for England versus the mighty West Indies at the Home of Cricket in 1991. In challenging conditions, against the rampant a pair of legendary pacemen, he did not merely endure he positively flourished, relishing the brutal exchange of short balls and fours. He later described the experience as leaving him “buzzing”.
An Impressive England Tenure
Playing largely as a middle-order batsman, Smith represented England across 62 Tests plus 71 limited-overs games between 1988 and 1996. He scored more than four thousand runs in Tests averaging 43.67, including nine hundreds. In the one-day arena, he compiled 2,419 ODI runs averaging just under 40.
A particularly brutal innings was played in 1993 at Edgbaston versus the old enemy, blasting 167 ruthless runs. It was such a domineering performance that even the then personally congratulated the country's leader. However, in a frustrating pattern, England still failed to win the match.
The 'Judge' and a Troubled Soul
Known widely as ‘the Judge’ after a wig-like haircut reminiscent of a court wig, his batting average in Tests was notably impressive, particularly given his career spanned during a period of English struggle. Many believe his international career was ended too hastily by selectors following a contentious trip of South Africa in the winter of 95/96.
As he later confessed, he existed as two people: ‘Judge’, the arrogant, combative cricketer who lived for conflict, and plain Robin, a gentle, feeling individual. These two sides were in constant tension.
An unshakeable sense of loyalty occasionally led to trouble. In a notable incident involved him standing up for fellow Hampshire player Malcolm Marshall following racist slurs in a hotel bar. Following unsuccessful appeals, he floored the primary abuser, an act that broke his own hand and cost him six weeks of cricket.
Life After Cricket
The transition to life after professional sport was immensely challenging. The buzz of the game was substituted for the ordinary pressures of running companies. Ventures into and a wine bar eventually failed. Coupled with marital difficulties and serious money troubles, he descended into heavy drinking and profound despair.
Emigrating to Western Australia with his family was meant to be a reset but failed to fix his core problems. In a moment of deep crisis, he considered ending his life, before being talked back from the brink by the intervention of his child and a friend.
His family includes Karin, his partner, his two children, and brother Chris.
