Tributes Paid to England Batting Great, Aged 62.
In the age before the high-octane Twenty20 revolution, arguably nobody hit a cricket ball with more raw power as Robin Smith. Shaped with a prizefighter's frame but possessing the quick feet inherited from his mother, a ballet dancer, his shots were unleashed – the square cut in particular – with such violence they could dent in perimeter fencing while crushing bowlers' confidence.
Smith, who has died after a prolonged illness, was a man of profound contradictions. Outwardly, he was the very image of courageous, aggressive batting, celebrated for thrilling battles with fearsome quicks. Yet, behind this mask of confidence was a man constantly questioning his own worth, a battle he kept hidden throughout his career but which later fuelled struggles against addiction and mental health issues.
Raw Courage Mixed with a Desire for the Rush
His bravery versus fast bowling was utterly authentic. But the driving force, was a complex blend of pure grit and a confessed need for the rush. He seemed was built differently, seeking out the brutal examination of facing extreme pace, which demanded lightning reflexes and an ability to absorb blows.
The ultimate demonstration came in his famous unbeaten 148 for England facing the Caribbean pace attack at Lord's Cricket Ground in 1991. In challenging conditions, as Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, he did not merely endure but counter-attacked with gusto, relishing the physical duel of short balls and fours. He admitted afterwards that it left him feeling “electrified”.
A Notable International Career
Featuring mostly in the middle order, He earned caps for England across 62 Tests and 71 ODIs during an eight-year international span. He accumulated 4,236 Test runs at an average of 43.67, including nine hundreds. In ODI cricket, he compiled almost two and a half thousand runs at an average close to 40.
Perhaps his most ferocious knock was played in 1993 at Edgbaston versus the old enemy, where he smashed 167 ruthless runs. The display was so impressive that he was reportedly personally congratulated the Prime Minister, John Major. Yet, in a cruel twist, England could not secure victory the game.
His Nickname and a Complex Legacy
Known widely as ‘Judge’ because of a youthful haircut reminiscent of a court wig, Smith's Test average stands as commendable, particularly given he featured during a period of English struggle. It is widely felt he was discarded somewhat unfairly following a contentious trip of South Africa in 1995-96.
He admitted in his autobiography, he felt like two distinct characters: ‘the Judge’, the tough, confrontational competitor who lived for conflict, and plain Robin, a gentle, feeling individual. Each persona were in constant tension.
His staunch allegiance occasionally led to trouble. In a notable incident he intervened to protect teammate Malcolm Marshall against racial taunts in a hotel bar. After words failed, he punched the main aggressor, a move which fractured his hand causing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Life After Cricket
The transition to life post-cricket was immensely challenging. The buzz of the game was substituted for the mundane realities of business. Attempts at a travel company eventually failed. Alongside problems in his marriage and mounting debts, he descended into alcohol dependency and profound despair.
A move to Australia alongside his children provided a new beginning but couldn't resolve his underlying issues. At his lowest point, he contemplated suicide, before being talked back from that decision through the care of family and a neighbour.
His family includes his partner, Karin, his son and daughter, and his brother, Chris.
