Remembering Robin Smith: The Warrior Who Faced Every Storm
Robin Smith’s passing at the age of 62 has left the cricketing world in shock, and talking about his life now feels a bit like revisiting a legend whose story was equal parts brilliance and heartbreak. Known affectionately as “The Judge,” Smith was one of England’s most dependable and fearless batters through the late 1980s and early ’90s, especially when facing down the fastest bowlers in world cricket. Even today, people still talk about the way he stood firm against the great West Indies pace attacks, never backing away, always countering fire with fire.
Across 62 Test matches and 71 ODIs for England, Smith built a reputation as a tough, technically gifted middle-order batter. More than 4,200 Test runs were made by him, averaging nearly 44—numbers that speak loudly even by modern standards. His highest Test score, a commanding 175 in Antigua against a bowling lineup feared around the world, remains one of his defining performances. And in limited-overs cricket, his unbeaten 167 against Australia at Edgbaston is still remembered as one of England’s finest ODI innings.
Also Read:But Smith’s legacy extends beyond his England career. For more than two decades, he called Hampshire home, eventually captaining the side and helping deliver multiple domestic trophies. To many, he wasn’t just a teammate—he was a brother, a mentor, and sometimes the beating heart of the dressing room.
That’s why news of his death hit so hard, especially for those who knew the private battles he’d been fighting. Just a week before he died, he had spoken openly about his struggles with alcoholism and depression—battles that had shadowed him long after retirement. He admitted that the years following his exit from the England setup in 1996 had been some of the darkest of his life. At one stage, he was drinking a bottle of vodka a day. At another, he came within minutes of ending his life. Last year, he spent seven months in hospital battling cirrhosis, surviving only by a narrow margin.
Friends and former teammates have been devastated. Kevan James, his old Hampshire colleague, broke down on air while announcing the news, recalling how Smith had once been England’s best batter and one of the few who could stare down the world’s most intimidating quicks. The courage he showed on the field was undeniable—but off the field, he often struggled to offer himself the same grace and strength.
Despite everything, Smith had been trying to rebuild his life in Perth. He had reconnected with old teammates at the Ashes, spoken to young players, and continued caring for his long-time partner, Karin, who has been undergoing treatment for multiple sclerosis. Even amid heartbreak, he managed to find moments of joy—spinning her around in her wheelchair during a night of music, reminiscing about better times.
And now, suddenly, he is gone. A giant of English cricket, a complex man with a huge heart, and someone who fought his battles with more bravery than most ever knew. His story will be remembered not just for his centuries and square-cuts, but for his honesty, vulnerability, and the reminder that even heroes carry burdens we cannot see.
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