Robin Smith, the former England cricketer and 1992 World Cup finalist, has passed away at 62, as confirmed by Hampshire, his old club, on Tuesday.
Born in South Africa to British parents, Smith played 62 Test matches and 71 ODIs for England, achieving 13 centuries in his career.
After retiring, Smith battled depression and alcoholism, recently sharing his struggles with the British press.
“We sadly announce the passing of legendary cricketer Robin Smith,” Hampshire shared on X.
Renowned for his aggressive middle-order batting, Smith excelled against fast bowlers, maintaining a Test average of 43.67, the highest among England players of his era when he was dropped after the 1995-96 South Africa series.
“It’s a sad day… In the 80s and 90s, he was England’s top batter,” expressed a tearful Kevan James, a former Hampshire teammate, on BBC Radio Solent.
“He was exceptional, particularly against fast bowling, during a time when the West Indies boasted numerous fast bowlers. He stood firm against them, delivering equally strong performances.”
Smith was the brother of Chris Smith, another England international, who played his last Test in Leeds two years before Robin’s debut at the same venue in 1988.
Nicknamed “The Judge” due to his curly hair, Smith scored 175 against the West Indies in Antigua in 1994, the same match where Brian Lara scored a record 375.
Smith also achieved an unbeaten 167 against Australia in 1993, setting an England ODI record that stood until Alex Hales scored 171 against Pakistan in 2016.
“Robin Smith faced some of the world’s fastest bowlers with courage, meeting their aggressive fast bowling with a determined smile and incredible resilience,” said Richard Thompson, ECB chair.
“His performances brought immense pride and entertainment to England fans.”
