Former England cricket star Robin Smith has sadly passed away at the age of 62 while in Australia for the Ashes series. The news of his death was confirmed by his close friend and former teammate Kevan James on BBC Radio Solent.
Smith, known as ‘The Judge’, had a successful career playing 62 Tests and 71 one-day internationals for England. Despite being born in South Africa, he made his Test debut in 1988 against the West Indies and went on to score over 4,000 runs with nine centuries.
During his visit to the recent Ashes Test in Perth, Smith caught up with former teammates Graham Gooch, David Gower, and Allan Lamb. He was a stylish right-handed batsman and a key player in England’s journey to the World Cup final in 1992.
However, Smith faced challenges off the field, battling alcoholism and depression after retiring from professional cricket. In a recent interview, he opened up about his struggles, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and reaching out to loved ones during difficult times.
Despite his personal struggles, Smith’s contributions to cricket, especially with Hampshire where he played for 21 seasons, have left a lasting legacy. His passing is a loss to the cricketing community, and he will be remembered for his talent and courage both on and off the field.
