Former England batsman Robin Smith has passed away at the age of 62, leaving the cricket world in mourning.
The family made the statement regarding Smith’s death: “It is with the deepest and deepest sense of sadness and loss that we must announce the passing of Robin Arnold Smith, beloved father of Harrison and Margaux and beloved brother of Christopher.”
“Robin died unexpectedly at his South Perth apartment on Monday, December 1. The cause of his death is currently unknown,” the statement said.
Robin reached the pinnacle of success as one of England’s most popular and iconic players. He was also known as “The Judge” due to his captaincy at Hampshire from 1998 to 2002.
His excellent guidance helped Hampshire win the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1998 and 1992, and the NatWest Trophy in 1991.
A reliable and strong middle-order batsman, he played in 62 Test matches and 71 one-day internationals from 1988 to 1996. He was spectacular against fast bowling and his best Test score was 175 against West Indies in 1994.
Smith also made a total of 4236 Test runs at an average of 43.67, which also included 9 centuries.
After Smith’s death, the cricketing world, including his teammates, paid heartfelt tributes.
Kevan James, his former Hampshire team-mate, said: “It was terrible. It’s a sad day but when you look at someone’s career… At the time, in the ’80s and ’90s, he was the best batsman in England.”
He continued: “He was a super player, especially in fast bowling in an era when the West Indies had all these fast bowlers. He was one of the few English batsmen who stood up to them and basically gave as good as he could.”
ECB chairman Richard Thompson also paid tribute: “Robin Smith was a player who went toe-to-toe with some of the fastest bowlers in the world and met spells of hostile fast bowling with a defiant smile and incredible resilience.”
Chairman Rod Bransgrove wrote: “Robin Smith is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Hampshire cricket heroes of all time.”
