🔗 Share this article Tributes Paid to The 'Judge', Who Has Died Aged 62. During the period preceding the explosive T20 revolution, few could match a cricket ball with greater ferocity as Robin Smith. Shaped like a boxer but possessing the quick feet inherited from his mother, a ballet dancer, he unleashed strokes – especially his trademark square cut – with such immense force they dented in boundary hoardings while crushing bowlers' confidence. The cricketer's death comes after a lengthy battle with poor health, existed filled with stark contrasts. On the surface, he was the epitome of courageous, aggressive batting, famed for epic duels with fearsome quicks. But behind this facade of bravado lay a deeply insecure individual, a battle he concealed while on the field that subsequently contributed to problems of alcoholism and depression. Unflinching Guts Mixed with a Desire for the Rush His fearlessness against pace could never be doubted. The source of this courage, was a curious mix of pure grit and an admitted addiction to adrenaline. Many felt he was built differently, actively craving the masochistic test of standing up to thunderbolts, which demanded lightning reflexes and a willingness to suffer physical punishment. The ultimate demonstration came during an iconic undefeated knock of 148 playing for England facing the Caribbean pace attack at Lord's Cricket Ground in 1991. In challenging conditions, as Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, Smith stood firm but thrived, relishing the fierce contest of intimidation and strokeplay. He admitted afterwards the feeling was one of “buzzing”. A Stellar England Tenure Batting primarily in the middle order, Smith represented England over 62 Test matches plus 71 limited-overs games during an eight-year international span. He scored more than four thousand runs in Tests at an average of 43.67, which contained nine hundreds. In the 50-over format, he gathered almost two and a half thousand runs averaging just under 40. Perhaps his most ferocious knock was played in 1993 in Birmingham versus the old enemy, where he smashed 167 ruthless runs. It was such a domineering performance he earned commendations from the country's leader. Yet, in a cruel twist, the side still failed to win the match. The Moniker and a Troubled Soul Known widely as ‘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 during a period of English struggle. Many believe he was discarded prematurely by the panel following a contentious trip of South Africa during the mid-90s. As he later confessed, he felt like two people: ‘The Judge’, the tough, confrontational competitor who thrived on battle, and Robin Smith, a vulnerable person. These two sides fought for dominance. His fierce loyalty could also be his downfall. One well-known episode involved him standing up for fellow Hampshire player Malcolm Marshall against racial taunts in a hotel bar. Following unsuccessful appeals, he punched the main aggressor, a move resulting in a broken hand leading to six weeks of cricket. Struggles in Retirement Moving on from the game post-cricket became a huge struggle. The adrenaline rush was replaced by the ordinary pressures of running companies. Ventures into bat manufacturing did not succeed. Coupled with a strained relationship and mounting debts, he descended into alcohol dependency and severe depression. A move to Australia with his family provided a new beginning but couldn't resolve his personal demons. During his darkest hour, he considered ending his life, only being pulled back from that decision through the care of his child and a friend. Robin Smith is survived by his companion, Karin, Harrison and Margaux, and brother Chris.
During the period preceding the explosive T20 revolution, few could match a cricket ball with greater ferocity as Robin Smith. Shaped like a boxer but possessing the quick feet inherited from his mother, a ballet dancer, he unleashed strokes – especially his trademark square cut – with such immense force they dented in boundary hoardings while crushing bowlers' confidence. The cricketer's death comes after a lengthy battle with poor health, existed filled with stark contrasts. On the surface, he was the epitome of courageous, aggressive batting, famed for epic duels with fearsome quicks. But behind this facade of bravado lay a deeply insecure individual, a battle he concealed while on the field that subsequently contributed to problems of alcoholism and depression. Unflinching Guts Mixed with a Desire for the Rush His fearlessness against pace could never be doubted. The source of this courage, was a curious mix of pure grit and an admitted addiction to adrenaline. Many felt he was built differently, actively craving the masochistic test of standing up to thunderbolts, which demanded lightning reflexes and a willingness to suffer physical punishment. The ultimate demonstration came during an iconic undefeated knock of 148 playing for England facing the Caribbean pace attack at Lord's Cricket Ground in 1991. In challenging conditions, as Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, Smith stood firm but thrived, relishing the fierce contest of intimidation and strokeplay. He admitted afterwards the feeling was one of “buzzing”. A Stellar England Tenure Batting primarily in the middle order, Smith represented England over 62 Test matches plus 71 limited-overs games during an eight-year international span. He scored more than four thousand runs in Tests at an average of 43.67, which contained nine hundreds. In the 50-over format, he gathered almost two and a half thousand runs averaging just under 40. Perhaps his most ferocious knock was played in 1993 in Birmingham versus the old enemy, where he smashed 167 ruthless runs. It was such a domineering performance he earned commendations from the country's leader. Yet, in a cruel twist, the side still failed to win the match. The Moniker and a Troubled Soul Known widely as ‘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 during a period of English struggle. Many believe he was discarded prematurely by the panel following a contentious trip of South Africa during the mid-90s. As he later confessed, he felt like two people: ‘The Judge’, the tough, confrontational competitor who thrived on battle, and Robin Smith, a vulnerable person. These two sides fought for dominance. His fierce loyalty could also be his downfall. One well-known episode involved him standing up for fellow Hampshire player Malcolm Marshall against racial taunts in a hotel bar. Following unsuccessful appeals, he punched the main aggressor, a move resulting in a broken hand leading to six weeks of cricket. Struggles in Retirement Moving on from the game post-cricket became a huge struggle. The adrenaline rush was replaced by the ordinary pressures of running companies. Ventures into bat manufacturing did not succeed. Coupled with a strained relationship and mounting debts, he descended into alcohol dependency and severe depression. A move to Australia with his family provided a new beginning but couldn't resolve his personal demons. During his darkest hour, he considered ending his life, only being pulled back from that decision through the care of his child and a friend. Robin Smith is survived by his companion, Karin, Harrison and Margaux, and brother Chris.