Cricket Mourns The 'Judge', Aged 62.
Long before the dawn of the frenetic Twenty20 format, arguably nobody hit the leather with such sheer force as Robin Smith. Built with a prizefighter's frame yet blessed with the nimble footwork of his ballet dancer mother, he produced shots – especially his trademark square cut – with such immense force they dented in perimeter fencing and shattered the morale of opponents.
The cricketer's death comes after a lengthy battle with poor health, was a man filled with stark contrasts. To the public eye, he was the very image of courageous, aggressive batting, famed for thrilling battles against express pace. However, beneath this show of machismo existed a person plagued by self-doubt, a struggle he concealed during his playing days only to later contributed to problems of alcoholism and depression.
Sheer Bravery Mixed with a Desire for Adrenaline
His courage facing quick bowlers could never be doubted. The source of this courage, was a complex blend of innate toughness and a self-confessed need for the rush. Many felt he was built differently, positively relishing the punishing challenge of standing up to thunderbolts, a situation requiring lightning reflexes and a high tolerance for pain.
This was perfectly illustrated during an iconic undefeated knock of 148 representing his country versus the mighty West Indies at Lord's in 1991. On a difficult pitch, as Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, he did not merely endure but thrived, apparently delighting in the physical duel of short balls and fours. He admitted afterwards the experience as leaving him “buzzing”.
A Stellar England Tenure
Playing largely at number five or six, Smith played for England over 62 Test matches and 71 ODIs between 1988 and 1996. He accumulated 4,236 Test runs averaging 43.67, including nine hundreds. In ODI cricket, he made 2,419 runs with an average close to 40.
One of his most destructive displays came in 1993 at Edgbaston facing the Aussies, where he smashed a devastating 167. The display was so impressive he earned personally congratulated the country's leader. However, in a frustrating pattern, the side still failed to win that contest.
His Nickname and Lasting Contradictions
Dubbed ‘The Judge’ after a wig-like haircut reminiscent of a court wig, his mean in Test cricket remains highly respectable, particularly given he featured for a frequently defeated England team. A common view is he was discarded somewhat unfairly post a fractious series of South Africa in the winter of 95/96.
As he later confessed, he was a dual personality: ‘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. One well-known episode saw him defend fellow Hampshire player Malcolm Marshall following racist slurs at a team hotel. Following unsuccessful appeals, Smith knocked out the main aggressor, an act which fractured his hand causing six weeks of cricket.
The Difficult Transition
The transition to life post-cricket was immensely challenging. The adrenaline rush gave way to the routine demands of business. Businesses involving a travel company did not succeed. Compounded by problems in his marriage and serious money troubles, he descended into alcohol dependency and profound despair.
Emigrating to Western Australia alongside his children was meant to be a reset but did not solve his personal demons. During his darkest hour, he contemplated suicide, before being talked back from the brink by the support of family and a neighbour.
He leaves behind his companion, Karin, Harrison and Margaux, and his brother, Chris.
