Cricket Mourns England Batting Great, Aged 62.

Long before the dawn of the frenetic Twenty20 format, no one struck the cricket ball with such sheer force as Robin Smith. Shaped with the physique of a fighter yet endowed with the agile movement of his ballet dancer mother, his shots were unleashed – the square cut in particular – with such violence they could dent in perimeter fencing and shattered the hopes of the opposition.

Smith has passed away following a long period of ill health, presented as a figure of profound contradictions. On the surface, he was the very image of a brave, front-foot player, renowned for epic duels with fearsome quicks. Yet, behind this facade of bravado lay a man constantly questioning his own worth, a battle he kept hidden while on the field that subsequently contributed to struggles against addiction and mental health issues.

Unflinching Guts and a Thirst for Danger

His bravery versus fast bowling was unquestionably genuine. The source of this courage, involved a combination of innate toughness and an admitted need for the rush. He seemed wired differently, seeking out the brutal examination of facing extreme pace, which calls for instant responses and a high tolerance for pain.

This was perfectly illustrated in his famous undefeated knock of 148 playing for England facing the Caribbean pace attack at Lord's in 1991. In challenging conditions, facing the furious onslaught of Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, Smith stood firm but counter-attacked with gusto, his eyes reportedly sparkling the brutal exchange of bouncers and boundaries. In retrospect, he said the feeling was one of “buzzing”.

A Stellar International Career

Playing largely at number five or six, Smith played for England across 62 Tests and 71 One-Day Internationals from the late 80s to the mid-90s. He accumulated more than four thousand runs in Tests averaging 43.67, including nine centuries. In ODI cricket, he compiled 2,419 runs at an average close to 40.

A particularly brutal innings occurred in 1993 in Birmingham facing the Aussies, blasting a devastating 167. The display was so impressive that he was reportedly personally congratulated the country's leader. Sadly, a recurring theme, the side could not secure victory the match.

The 'Judge' and a Troubled Soul

Affectionately nicknamed ‘Judge’ due to an early hairstyle resembling a judicial wig, Smith's Test average remains highly respectable, not least because he played during a period of English struggle. A common view is his international career was ended too hastily by selectors after a difficult tour of South Africa during the mid-90s.

He admitted in his autobiography, he existed as two distinct characters: ‘Judge’, the arrogant, combative cricketer who loved a fight, and Robin Smith, a sensitive, emotional man. The two identities suppressed the other.

An unshakeable sense of loyalty could also be his downfall. Most famously involved him standing up for teammate Malcolm Marshall against racial taunts at a team hotel. When verbal requests were ignored, Smith knocked out the main aggressor, a move that broke his own hand and cost him a significant layoff.

Life After Cricket

The transition to life post-cricket proved exceptionally difficult. The thrill of competition was substituted for the mundane realities of running companies. Businesses involving and a wine bar did not succeed. Compounded by problems in his marriage and financial woes, he fell victim to alcohol dependency and deep depression.

Emigrating to Western Australia accompanied by his brother Chris offered a fresh start but did not solve his underlying issues. At his lowest point, he considered ending his life, only being pulled back from the brink through the care of his child and a friend.

Robin Smith is survived by his partner, Karin, his son and daughter, and his brother, Chris.