Tributes Paid to The 'Judge', Aged 62.
In the age before the high-octane Twenty20 format, no one struck a cricket ball with more raw power as Robin Smith. Built with a prizefighter's frame but possessing the nimble footwork of his ballet dancer mother, he unleashed strokes – notably his ferocious square cut – with such immense force they dented in boundary hoardings and shattered bowlers' confidence.
Smith, who has died following a long period of ill health, presented as a figure of profound contradictions. To the public eye, he appeared the embodiment of a brave, front-foot player, famed for epic duels with the world's fastest bowlers. But behind this facade of bravado existed a man constantly questioning his own worth, a struggle he concealed while on the field only to later fuelled battles with addiction and mental health issues.
Unflinching Guts and a Thirst for Danger
His fearlessness against pace was unquestionably genuine. The motivation, however, involved a combination of pure grit and a self-confessed need for the rush. Teammates wondered if he was neurologically unique, actively craving the brutal examination of facing extreme pace, which calls for blistering reactions and an ability to absorb blows.
The ultimate demonstration came during an iconic unbeaten 148 playing for England facing the Caribbean pace attack at the Home of Cricket in 1991. In challenging conditions, facing the furious onslaught of a pair of legendary pacemen, Smith not only survived but counter-attacked with gusto, apparently delighting in the brutal exchange of short balls and fours. In retrospect, he said the experience as leaving him “buzzing”.
An Impressive England Tenure
Featuring mostly as a middle-order batsman, He earned caps for England in 62 Test matches and 71 ODIs between 1988 and 1996. He accumulated over four thousand Test runs with a mean of 43.67, including nine hundreds. In the one-day arena, he compiled 2,419 runs with an average nearing forty.
A particularly brutal innings was played in 1993 against Australia against Australia, hammering 167 ruthless runs. The display was so impressive he earned direct praise from the Prime Minister, John Major. Sadly, a recurring theme, the side could not secure victory the game.
The Moniker and a Complex Legacy
Known widely as ‘Judge’ because of a youthful haircut that looked like a judge's wig, his mean in Test cricket remains highly respectable, particularly given he featured for a frequently defeated England team. A common view is selectors moved on from him prematurely by the panel following a contentious trip of South Africa in 1995-96.
As he later confessed, he existed as two distinct characters: ‘Judge’, the ruthless on-field warrior who lived for conflict, and Robin Smith, a sensitive, emotional man. Each persona suppressed the other.
An unshakeable sense of loyalty occasionally led to trouble. Most famously saw him defend fellow Hampshire player Malcolm Marshall against racial taunts at a team hotel. Following unsuccessful appeals, he floored the primary abuser, a move which fractured his hand and cost him a significant layoff.
Struggles in Retirement
Moving on from the game post-cricket proved exceptionally difficult. The buzz of the game gave way to the mundane realities of commerce. Ventures into bat manufacturing ultimately faltered. Compounded by a strained relationship and serious money troubles, he fell victim to alcohol dependency and deep depression.
A move to Australia with his family provided a new beginning but couldn't resolve his core problems. In a moment of deep crisis, he thought about taking his own life, only being pulled back from that decision 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.