Remembering The 'Judge', Aged 62.

Long before the dawn of the explosive T20 era, arguably nobody hit a cricket ball with greater ferocity as Robin Smith. Constructed like a boxer but possessing the nimble footwork of his ballet dancer mother, his shots were unleashed – notably his ferocious square cut – with such devastating power they could dent in boundary hoardings and shattered the hopes of the opposition.

Smith, who has died after a lengthy battle with poor health, presented as a figure of profound contradictions. On the surface, he was the epitome of courageous, aggressive batting, renowned for thrilling battles against express pace. However, beneath this facade of bravado was a man constantly questioning his own worth, a battle he masked throughout his career that subsequently led to battles with addiction and mental health issues.

Raw Courage Coupled with a Craving for Danger

His fearlessness against pace was utterly authentic. The motivation, however, was a curious mix of innate toughness and a self-confessed need for the rush. Teammates wondered if he wired differently, actively craving the masochistic test of standing up to thunderbolts, a situation requiring instant responses and a willingness to suffer physical punishment.

The ultimate demonstration came during his legendary undefeated knock of 148 for England facing the Caribbean pace attack at the Home of Cricket in 1991. On a tricky surface, facing the furious onslaught of Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, he did not merely endure but thrived, relishing the fierce contest of short balls and fours. He later described that it left him feeling “tingling”.

An Impressive England Tenure

Playing largely as a middle-order batsman, Smith played for England across 62 Tests plus 71 limited-overs games during an eight-year international span. He amassed over four thousand Test runs averaging 43.67, including nine centuries. In the 50-over format, he compiled 2,419 runs with an average just under 40.

One of his most destructive displays was played in 1993 against Australia against Australia, hammering 167 ruthless runs. The innings was so powerful that even the then personally congratulated the Prime Minister, John Major. Sadly, a recurring theme, England ended up losing the match.

The 'Judge' and a Complex Legacy

Known widely as ‘the Judge’ due to an early hairstyle reminiscent of a court wig, his mean in Test cricket was notably impressive, not least because he featured during a period of English struggle. Many believe his international career was ended prematurely by the panel after a difficult tour in South Africa in 1995-96.

As he later confessed, he felt like two distinct characters: ‘The Judge’, the ruthless on-field warrior who loved a fight, and Robin Smith, a sensitive, emotional man. Each persona suppressed the other.

His staunch allegiance sometimes caused him problems. Most famously he intervened to protect West Indian colleague Malcolm Marshall following racist slurs at a team hotel. After words failed, he floored the main aggressor, a move resulting in a broken hand leading to a significant layoff.

The Difficult Transition

Adapting to a world outside the dressing room proved exceptionally difficult. The thrill of competition gave way to the ordinary pressures of business. Ventures into and a wine bar eventually failed. Coupled with marital difficulties and financial woes, he spiralled into addiction and deep depression.

A move to Australia accompanied by his brother Chris offered a fresh start but did not solve his underlying issues. In a moment of deep crisis, he considered ending his life, before being talked back from the brink by the support of his child and a friend.

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