London: Former England batting great Robin Smith has died at the age of 62, English county club Hampshire Cricket confirmed on Tuesday.
Smith, who was born in South Africa and went on to represent England between 1988 and 1996, died unexpectedly on Monday at his apartment in South Perth, Australia, according to a statement released by his family.
“It is with the deepest and most profound sense of sadness that we announce the passing of Robin Arnold Smith — a beloved father to Harrison and Margaux and a cherished brother to Christopher,” the family said.
They added that the cause of death remains unknown and will be determined following a postmortem examination.
Nicknamed “The Judge”, Smith was one of England’s most admired and charismatic cricketers during the late 1980s and 1990s. He had recently met members of the England Lions squad in Perth ahead of the first Ashes Test at the invitation of head coach Andrew Flintoff.
“Robin rose to fame as one of England’s most popular and dynamic players,” his family noted. “A brave and stylish batsman, he shone for both Hampshire and England, earning countless admirers throughout his career.”
Smith’s long battle with alcohol and mental-health struggles had been acknowledged publicly, but the family stressed that these should not be linked to speculation about his passing.
During a distinguished international career, Smith amassed 4,236 Test runs, including nine centuries, at an impressive average of 43.67. He also scored 2,419 runs in 71 ODIs, averaging 39.01.
Smith retired from professional cricket in 2004 but remained a prominent figure remembered for his courage, grit and elegance at the crease.
