๐ Share this article Cricket Mourns The 'Judge', Who Has Died Aged 62. Long before the dawn of the high-octane Twenty20 format, arguably nobody hit the cricket ball with greater ferocity than Robin Smith. Shaped with a prizefighter's frame yet endowed with the agile movement inherited from his mother, a ballet dancer, his shots were unleashed โ the square cut in particular โ with such immense force that they left dents in advertising boards while crushing the hopes of the opposition. Smith has passed away following a long period of ill health, presented as a figure riddled with paradox. To the public eye, he appeared the embodiment of fearless, attacking batsmanship, renowned for memorable contests with fearsome quicks. Yet, behind this facade of bravado lay a person plagued by self-doubt, a conflict he concealed during his playing days only to later led to problems of addiction and mental health issues. Sheer Bravery Coupled with a Craving for Adrenaline His fearlessness against pace was utterly authentic. But the driving force, involved a combination of pure grit and a self-confessed need for the rush. Many felt he was built differently, seeking out the masochistic test of confronting express bowling, which demanded instant responses and an ability to absorb blows. This was perfectly illustrated during an iconic innings of 148 not out representing his country versus the mighty West Indies at Lord's in 1991. On a difficult pitch, facing the furious onslaught of a pair of legendary pacemen, Smith stood firm but thrived, apparently delighting in the physical duel of short balls and fours. He admitted afterwards that it left him feeling โtinglingโ. A Stellar Test Career Playing largely at number five or six, He earned caps for England over 62 Test matches plus 71 limited-overs games from the late 80s to the mid-90s. He amassed more than four thousand runs in Tests at an average of 43.67, which contained nine centuries. In the one-day arena, he gathered 2,419 runs with an average nearing forty. One of his most destructive displays came in 1993 against Australia versus the old enemy, hammering a devastating 167. It was such a domineering performance that even the then commendations from the country's leader. Yet, in a cruel twist, England could not secure victory the game. The Moniker and a Complex Legacy Dubbed โJudgeโ after a wig-like haircut that looked like a judge's wig, Smith's Test average stands as commendable, particularly given he played during a period of English struggle. Many believe selectors moved on from him prematurely by the panel after a difficult tour of South Africa during the mid-90s. He admitted in his autobiography, he existed as a dual personality: โThe Judgeโ, the tough, confrontational competitor who lived for conflict, and plain Robin, a sensitive, emotional man. These two sides suppressed the other. His fierce loyalty could also be his downfall. Most famously he intervened to protect teammate Malcolm Marshall following racist slurs in a hotel bar. After words failed, Smith knocked out the primary abuser, an act that broke his own hand causing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Life After Cricket Moving on from the game outside the dressing room became a huge struggle. The adrenaline rush was substituted for the ordinary pressures of business. Businesses involving and a wine bar eventually failed. Compounded by marital difficulties and serious money troubles, he spiralled into alcohol dependency and profound despair. A move to Australia alongside his children provided a new beginning but did not solve his personal demons. In a moment of deep crisis, he considered ending his life, and was only saved from the edge by the support of family and a neighbour. His family includes his companion, Karin, his two children, and brother Chris.
Long before the dawn of the high-octane Twenty20 format, arguably nobody hit the cricket ball with greater ferocity than Robin Smith. Shaped with a prizefighter's frame yet endowed with the agile movement inherited from his mother, a ballet dancer, his shots were unleashed โ the square cut in particular โ with such immense force that they left dents in advertising boards while crushing the hopes of the opposition. Smith has passed away following a long period of ill health, presented as a figure riddled with paradox. To the public eye, he appeared the embodiment of fearless, attacking batsmanship, renowned for memorable contests with fearsome quicks. Yet, behind this facade of bravado lay a person plagued by self-doubt, a conflict he concealed during his playing days only to later led to problems of addiction and mental health issues. Sheer Bravery Coupled with a Craving for Adrenaline His fearlessness against pace was utterly authentic. But the driving force, involved a combination of pure grit and a self-confessed need for the rush. Many felt he was built differently, seeking out the masochistic test of confronting express bowling, which demanded instant responses and an ability to absorb blows. This was perfectly illustrated during an iconic innings of 148 not out representing his country versus the mighty West Indies at Lord's in 1991. On a difficult pitch, facing the furious onslaught of a pair of legendary pacemen, Smith stood firm but thrived, apparently delighting in the physical duel of short balls and fours. He admitted afterwards that it left him feeling โtinglingโ. A Stellar Test Career Playing largely at number five or six, He earned caps for England over 62 Test matches plus 71 limited-overs games from the late 80s to the mid-90s. He amassed more than four thousand runs in Tests at an average of 43.67, which contained nine centuries. In the one-day arena, he gathered 2,419 runs with an average nearing forty. One of his most destructive displays came in 1993 against Australia versus the old enemy, hammering a devastating 167. It was such a domineering performance that even the then commendations from the country's leader. Yet, in a cruel twist, England could not secure victory the game. The Moniker and a Complex Legacy Dubbed โJudgeโ after a wig-like haircut that looked like a judge's wig, Smith's Test average stands as commendable, particularly given he played during a period of English struggle. Many believe selectors moved on from him prematurely by the panel after a difficult tour of South Africa during the mid-90s. He admitted in his autobiography, he existed as a dual personality: โThe Judgeโ, the tough, confrontational competitor who lived for conflict, and plain Robin, a sensitive, emotional man. These two sides suppressed the other. His fierce loyalty could also be his downfall. Most famously he intervened to protect teammate Malcolm Marshall following racist slurs in a hotel bar. After words failed, Smith knocked out the primary abuser, an act that broke his own hand causing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Life After Cricket Moving on from the game outside the dressing room became a huge struggle. The adrenaline rush was substituted for the ordinary pressures of business. Businesses involving and a wine bar eventually failed. Compounded by marital difficulties and serious money troubles, he spiralled into alcohol dependency and profound despair. A move to Australia alongside his children provided a new beginning but did not solve his personal demons. In a moment of deep crisis, he considered ending his life, and was only saved from the edge by the support of family and a neighbour. His family includes his companion, Karin, his two children, and brother Chris.