Remembering Robin Smith, Aged 62.
Long before the dawn of the high-octane Twenty20 era, arguably nobody hit the leather with greater ferocity than Robin Smith. Built with a prizefighter's frame yet blessed with the nimble footwork from his mother, a dancer, he unleashed strokes – notably his ferocious square cut – with such violence they dented in advertising boards and deflated the morale of opponents.
Smith has passed away following a long period of ill health, existed of profound contradictions. Outwardly, he was the epitome of a brave, front-foot player, famed for epic duels against express pace. But behind this show of machismo was a person plagued by self-doubt, a battle he concealed while on the field only to later contributed to struggles against addiction and mental health issues.
Raw Courage Mixed with a Desire for Adrenaline
His bravery versus fast bowling could never be doubted. But the driving force, was a curious mix of innate toughness and an admitted thrill-seeking nature. Many felt he wired differently, positively relishing the masochistic test of confronting express bowling, a situation requiring blistering reactions and an ability to absorb blows.
This was perfectly illustrated during an iconic innings of 148 not out for England facing the Caribbean pace attack at Lord's in 1991. In challenging conditions, against the rampant a pair of legendary pacemen, Smith not only survived but counter-attacked with gusto, apparently delighting in the brutal exchange of bouncers and boundaries. He admitted afterwards that it left him feeling “electrified”.
A Notable Test Career
Batting primarily as a middle-order batsman, Smith represented England across 62 Tests and 71 ODIs during an eight-year international span. He accumulated more than four thousand runs in Tests with a mean of 43-plus, featuring nine three-figure scores. In the 50-over format, he gathered 2,419 runs with an average close to 40.
A particularly brutal innings occurred in 1993 in Birmingham against Australia, hammering 167 ruthless runs. The display was so impressive he earned commendations from the Prime Minister, John Major. However, in a frustrating pattern, the side could not secure victory the match.
The 'Judge' and a Complex Legacy
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Judge’ due to an early hairstyle reminiscent of a court wig, Smith's Test average remains highly respectable, especially considering he played in a losing era. Many believe he was discarded prematurely by the panel following a contentious trip of South Africa in 1995-96.
He admitted in his autobiography, he was two people: ‘The Judge’, the tough, confrontational competitor who loved a fight, and plain Robin, a vulnerable person. Each persona were in constant tension.
His staunch allegiance sometimes caused him problems. One well-known episode involved him standing up for teammate Malcolm Marshall following racist slurs at a team hotel. Following unsuccessful appeals, Smith knocked out the primary abuser, a move resulting in a broken hand and cost him six weeks of cricket.
Struggles in Retirement
The transition to life outside the dressing room proved exceptionally difficult. The adrenaline rush was substituted for the routine demands of running companies. Attempts at bat manufacturing ultimately faltered. Alongside marital difficulties and financial woes, he spiralled into addiction and deep depression.
Relocating to Perth accompanied by his brother Chris was meant to be a reset but did not solve his personal demons. In a moment of deep crisis, he considered ending his life, only being pulled back from that decision by the support of family and a neighbour.
His family includes Karin, his partner, Harrison and Margaux, and elder brother Chris.
