Former England cricket star Robin Smith has passed away at the age of 62. The renowned batsman, who represented his country in 62 Test matches, died in Australia where he had traveled for the Ashes series.
The sad news was announced by Smith’s close friend and former teammate Kevan James during an interview on BBC Radio Solent on Tuesday morning.
Smith had been open about his struggles with alcoholism and depression. The cause of his death has not been disclosed at this time.
Recently, he attended the first Ashes Test in Perth and reunited with his former England colleagues Graham Gooch, David Gower, and Allan Lamb.
Known as ‘The Judge’, Smith, a stylish and fearless right-handed batsman, made his Test debut for England in 1988 against the West Indies despite being born in South Africa. He recorded two centuries during the Ashes series the following summer.
His highest Test score of 175 was achieved in response to Brian Lara’s then record-breaking innings of 375 in Antigua. Smith concluded his Test career with 4,236 runs at an average of 43.67, including nine centuries.
In addition to his Test career, Smith played 71 one-day internationals for England and was part of the team that reached the World Cup final in 1992. His unbeaten 167 against Australia in 1993 was the highest ODI score by an English player until Alex Hales’ 171 against Pakistan in 2016.
Although he stopped playing for England in 1996, Smith continued to represent Hampshire until 2003, completing 21 seasons with the club. He is widely recognized as one of Hampshire’s greatest players.
Following his retirement, Smith faced challenges with alcoholism and depression. He was hospitalized for four months, and doctors had warned his family that he might have only days to live.
Despite setbacks, including the recent loss of his father, Smith remained resilient. In a recent interview with The Times, he candidly discussed his ongoing battle with alcoholism and the importance of seeking support.
Smith had previously shared his struggles with mental health, emphasizing the significance of reaching out for help and not hesitating to lean on friends during tough times.
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