Remembering England Batting Great, Who Has Died Aged 62.
Long before the dawn of the high-octane T20 format, arguably nobody hit the cricket ball with more raw power than Robin Smith. Shaped like a boxer yet blessed with the quick feet from his mother, a dancer, his shots were unleashed – the square cut in particular – with such immense force they dented in perimeter fencing and deflated bowlers' confidence.
Smith has passed away after a lengthy battle with poor health, presented as a figure filled with stark contrasts. On the surface, he was the epitome of fearless, attacking batsmanship, renowned for epic duels against express pace. However, beneath this show of machismo existed a person plagued by self-doubt, a battle he kept hidden throughout his career only to later led to struggles against addiction and mental health issues.
Sheer Bravery Coupled with a Craving for Danger
His fearlessness against pace was utterly authentic. The motivation, however, was a curious mix of innate toughness and an admitted addiction to adrenaline. Many felt he was built differently, positively relishing the brutal examination of facing extreme pace, a situation requiring lightning reflexes and a willingness to suffer physical punishment.
This was perfectly illustrated during an iconic undefeated knock of 148 representing his country versus the mighty West Indies at the Home of Cricket in 1991. On a tricky surface, as two of the greatest fast bowlers in history, Smith not only survived but counter-attacked with gusto, apparently delighting in the fierce contest of intimidation and strokeplay. In retrospect, he said the feeling was one of “electrified”.
A Notable International Career
Featuring mostly as a middle-order batsman, Smith played for England in 62 Test matches and 71 ODIs during an eight-year international span. He amassed over four thousand Test runs at an average of 43.67, which contained nine centuries. In the one-day arena, he made 2,419 runs with an average nearing forty.
A particularly brutal innings came in 1993 in Birmingham versus the old enemy, hammering 167 ruthless runs. The innings was so powerful that he was reportedly direct praise from PM John Major. Yet, in a cruel twist, England ended up losing the game.
The Moniker and a Complex Legacy
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Judge’ due to an early hairstyle reminiscent of a court wig, Smith's Test average remains highly respectable, particularly given his career spanned for a frequently defeated England team. Many believe he was discarded prematurely by the panel post a fractious series to South Africa during the mid-90s.
As he later confessed, he felt like a dual personality: ‘the Judge’, the tough, confrontational competitor who loved a fight, and Robin Smith, a sensitive, emotional man. These two sides fought for dominance.
His staunch allegiance could also be his downfall. In a notable incident saw him defend West Indian colleague Malcolm Marshall against racial taunts at a team hotel. When verbal requests were ignored, he punched the primary abuser, an act which fractured his hand leading to a significant layoff.
Struggles in Retirement
Moving on from the game outside the dressing room was immensely challenging. The buzz of the game was replaced by the ordinary pressures of commerce. Businesses involving a travel company did not succeed. Coupled with a strained relationship and financial woes, he spiralled into addiction and severe depression.
Emigrating to Western Australia with his family was meant to be a reset but failed to fix his personal demons. In a moment of deep crisis, he contemplated suicide, and was only saved from that decision by the support of his child and a friend.
He leaves behind his partner, Karin, his son and daughter, and his brother, Chris.
