Remembering England Batting Great, Aged 62.
In the age before the explosive T20 format, few could match a cricket ball with greater ferocity than Robin Smith. Shaped like a boxer but possessing the agile movement of his ballet dancer mother, he unleashed strokes – notably his ferocious square cut – with such violence they dented in perimeter fencing and shattered the morale of opponents.
Smith, who has died after a lengthy battle with poor health, presented as a figure of profound contradictions. On the surface, he was the very image of courageous, aggressive batting, famed for memorable contests with the world's fastest bowlers. But behind this facade of bravado was a person plagued by self-doubt, a conflict he concealed throughout his career but which later led to problems of alcoholism and depression.
Sheer Bravery Mixed with a Desire for Danger
His bravery versus fast bowling was unquestionably genuine. The source of this courage, was a complex blend of pure grit and a self-confessed addiction to adrenaline. He seemed wired differently, seeking out the punishing challenge of facing extreme pace, which demanded instant responses and a high tolerance for pain.
This was perfectly illustrated during his legendary innings of 148 not out playing for England against the West Indies at Lord's in 1991. In challenging conditions, against the rampant Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, Smith stood firm he positively flourished, his eyes reportedly sparkling the brutal exchange of short balls and fours. He admitted afterwards the experience as leaving him “electrified”.
A Notable England Tenure
Batting primarily in the middle order, He earned caps for England across 62 Tests and 71 ODIs during an eight-year international span. He scored 4,236 Test runs at an average of 43.67, which contained nine centuries. In ODI cricket, he made almost two and a half thousand runs with an average nearing forty.
One of his most destructive displays occurred in 1993 in Birmingham against Australia, where he smashed 167 ruthless runs. The display was so impressive that he was reportedly commendations from the country's leader. Yet, in a cruel twist, England ended up losing the game.
The Moniker and Lasting Contradictions
Known widely as ‘the Judge’ because of a youthful haircut reminiscent of a court wig, his batting average in Tests remains highly respectable, particularly given he featured in a losing era. It is widely felt selectors moved on from him somewhat unfairly following a contentious trip in South Africa in the winter of 95/96.
He admitted in his autobiography, he felt like a dual personality: ‘The Judge’, the arrogant, combative cricketer who loved a fight, and Robin Smith, a sensitive, emotional man. Each persona fought for dominance.
His staunch allegiance could also be his downfall. In a notable incident saw him defend West Indian colleague Malcolm Marshall following racist slurs in Leicester. After words failed, Smith knocked out the ringleader, a response that broke his own hand and cost him six weeks of cricket.
Struggles in Retirement
Moving on from the game post-cricket was immensely challenging. The adrenaline rush was substituted for the ordinary pressures of commerce. Attempts at a travel company did not succeed. Alongside problems in his marriage and serious money troubles, he fell victim to alcohol dependency and deep depression.
Emigrating to Western Australia alongside his children was meant to be a reset but failed to fix his core problems. At his lowest point, he considered ending his life, and was only saved from the edge by the intervention of family and a neighbour.
His family includes Karin, his partner, Harrison and Margaux, and elder brother Chris.