Cricket Mourns The 'Judge', Who Has Died Aged 62.

Long before the dawn of the explosive Twenty20 revolution, few could match the leather with more raw power than Robin Smith. Constructed with the physique of a fighter but possessing the quick feet from his mother, a dancer, his shots were unleashed – especially his trademark square cut – with such immense force that they left dents in boundary hoardings and deflated bowlers' confidence.

Smith, who has died following a long period of ill health, existed of profound contradictions. To the public eye, he was the epitome of a brave, front-foot player, celebrated for thrilling battles with the world's fastest bowlers. But behind this mask of confidence existed a man constantly questioning his own worth, a conflict he masked while on the field that subsequently fuelled struggles against addiction and mental health issues.

Raw Courage Coupled with a Craving for Adrenaline

His courage facing quick bowlers was utterly authentic. The source of this courage, was a curious mix of pure grit and an admitted addiction to adrenaline. Many felt he was neurologically unique, positively relishing the brutal examination of confronting express bowling, which calls for instant responses and an ability to absorb blows.

This trait was never better displayed during an iconic undefeated knock of 148 representing his country facing the Caribbean pace attack at Lord's in 1991. On a difficult pitch, facing the furious onslaught of a pair of legendary pacemen, he did not merely endure he positively flourished, relishing the fierce contest of bouncers and boundaries. In retrospect, he said the feeling was one of “buzzing”.

An Impressive England Tenure

Batting primarily in the middle order, He earned caps for England over 62 Test matches plus 71 limited-overs games between 1988 and 1996. He scored over four thousand Test runs at an average of 43-plus, featuring nine three-figure scores. In the 50-over format, he made 2,419 runs with an average just under 40.

Perhaps his most ferocious knock was played in 1993 against Australia facing the Aussies, where he smashed 167 ruthless runs. It was such a domineering performance he earned direct praise from the Prime Minister, John Major. Yet, in a cruel twist, his team could not secure victory the match.

The 'Judge' and a Troubled Soul

Affectionately nicknamed ‘the Judge’ because of a youthful haircut reminiscent of a court wig, Smith's Test average was notably impressive, especially considering he featured for a frequently defeated England team. It is widely felt his international career was ended prematurely by the panel after a difficult tour in South Africa in 1995-96.

As he later confessed, he existed as a dual personality: ‘the Judge’, the tough, confrontational competitor who lived for conflict, and Robin Smith, a gentle, feeling individual. Each persona fought for dominance.

His fierce loyalty sometimes caused him problems. One well-known episode he intervened to protect teammate Malcolm Marshall against racial taunts in Leicester. After words failed, Smith knocked out the primary abuser, a move resulting in a broken hand and cost him a significant layoff.

Life After Cricket

The transition to life post-cricket was immensely challenging. The adrenaline rush was substituted for the mundane realities of business. Ventures into a travel company ultimately faltered. Coupled with problems in his marriage and serious money troubles, he descended into addiction and profound despair.

A move to Australia accompanied by his brother Chris was meant to be a reset but failed to fix his core problems. During his darkest hour, he thought about taking his own life, and was only saved from that decision by the intervention of his son and a compassionate neighbour.

His family includes Karin, his partner, Harrison and Margaux, and elder brother Chris.