Remembering Robin Smith, Aged 62.

During the period preceding the explosive T20 format, arguably nobody hit the cricket ball with more raw power as Robin Smith. Shaped with the physique of a fighter but possessing the quick feet of his ballet dancer mother, he produced shots – notably his ferocious square cut – with such violence they dented in advertising boards and deflated the hopes of the opposition.

The cricketer's death comes after a prolonged illness, presented as a figure of profound contradictions. To the public eye, he appeared the embodiment of fearless, attacking batsmanship, celebrated for epic duels against express pace. But behind this mask of confidence lay a person plagued by self-doubt, a battle he masked while on the field but which later contributed to struggles against alcoholism and depression.

Sheer Bravery and a Thirst for Danger

His fearlessness against pace was unquestionably genuine. The motivation, however, was a curious mix of innate toughness and a self-confessed thrill-seeking nature. Many felt he wired differently, actively craving the punishing challenge of facing extreme pace, a situation requiring instant responses and a willingness to suffer physical punishment.

This was perfectly illustrated during his legendary unbeaten 148 for England facing the Caribbean pace attack at the Home of Cricket in 1991. In challenging conditions, against the rampant a pair of legendary pacemen, he did not merely endure but thrived, apparently delighting in the physical duel of bouncers and boundaries. He later described the feeling was one of “tingling”.

An Impressive Test Career

Featuring mostly in the middle order, Smith represented England across 62 Tests and 71 One-Day Internationals from the late 80s to the mid-90s. He amassed 4,236 Test runs at an average of 43-plus, featuring nine three-figure scores. In ODI cricket, he gathered almost two and a half thousand runs with an average close to 40.

A particularly brutal innings occurred in 1993 against Australia against Australia, blasting a devastating 167. The display was so impressive that he was reportedly direct praise from PM John Major. However, in a frustrating pattern, his team still failed to win the game.

His Nickname and Lasting Contradictions

Known widely as ‘The Judge’ after a wig-like haircut reminiscent of a court wig, his batting average in Tests stands as commendable, particularly given he played for a frequently defeated England team. A common view is selectors moved on from him somewhat unfairly post a fractious series of South Africa in 1995-96.

In his own words, he felt like two people: ‘The Judge’, the tough, confrontational competitor who loved a fight, and plain Robin, a gentle, feeling individual. These two sides fought for dominance.

An unshakeable sense of loyalty sometimes caused him problems. Most famously saw him defend West Indian colleague Malcolm Marshall against racial taunts in Leicester. After words failed, Smith knocked out the ringleader, an act that broke his own hand and cost him a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Struggles in Retirement

Moving on from the game outside the dressing room proved exceptionally difficult. The buzz of the game was replaced by the ordinary pressures of commerce. Attempts at bat manufacturing did not succeed. Coupled with marital difficulties and serious money troubles, he spiralled into heavy drinking and profound despair.

Relocating to Perth accompanied by his brother Chris provided a new beginning but couldn't resolve his underlying issues. In a moment of deep crisis, he contemplated suicide, before being talked back from the edge by the support of his child and a friend.

His family includes his partner, Karin, his son and daughter, and brother Chris.