Former England batter Robin Smith dies aged 62

Robin Smith, 62, a former England batter, passed away.

Smith, who later became known as “Judge,” won 62 Test caps between 1988 and 1996 and ran 4 236 runs for an average of 43.67, including nine centuries.

In 71 one-day internationals, he also averaged 39.01.

Between 1998 and 2002, Smith captained Hampshire for the entire county, winning two Benson & Hedges Cups and a NatWest Trophy.

He finished his 22-year career in 2003, with 26, 155 first-class runs at 41.51.

Smith, who had relocated to Australia after his retirement, endured battles with alcoholism and mental health issues for several months before being hospitalized for several months in 2024.

We must announce the passing of Robin Smith with the deepest and most profound sense of sadness and loss, according to a statement from the Smith family.

“Robin became one of England’s most likable and well-known players.

He earned legions of admirers and friends along the way, and he was a brave and fervent batsman for both Hampshire and his adopted country.

Smith made his debut in 1982 after moving to Hampshire along with his older brother Chris and future England international from South Africa in 1963.

He made his Test debut against West Indies at Headingley in 1988, and after four years, he was eligible to play for England.

Later that summer, he made his international debut against Sri Lanka.

In a 4-0 home defeat by Australia in the Ashes the following year, Smith scored the most runs for England, scoring 553.

He averaged almost 50 on home soil and scored seven of his nine Test centuries in particularly high English conditions.

He was a member of England’s 1992 World Cup squad, but he did not participate in Pakistan’s final defeat.

Smith had the highest total by an England player in the format until Alex Hales made 171 against Pakistan in 2016 with a score of 167 from 163 balls against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993.

He made over 640 appearances for Hampshire before turning 40 just before his 40th birthday.

One of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time Hampshire cricket heroes, according to chairman Rod Bransgrove.

He was one of the most courageous players this club has ever seen, especially against bowling of real pace, and one of the batsmen of awesome power and control.

Robin embodied the spirit of Hampshire more than anything else. He quickly returned from many of his 62 Test matches and 71 ODIs to join his county team to play Championship or List ‘A’ fixtures with relish after returning from numerous of his 62 Test matches and 71 ODIs.

“Everyone he came into contact with” the Judge communicated with him.

He was one of the most well-known players to ever play the game, which we all adore, and he will be greatly missed by fans, staff, players, and supporters across the nation and beyond.

Richard Thompson, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, stated that Robin Smith, who faced challenges of hostile fast bowling with a defiant smile and incredible resilience, “stood toe to toe with some of the quickest bowlers in the world.”

“He did it in a way that gave England fans unmatched entertainment and great pride.

That unforgettable 167 balls against Australia exemplify how far he had come before his time.