Beloved England cricketer Robin Smith dies at 62
The cricketing world is mourning the loss of former England international Robin Smith, who passed away on Monday, December 1st, aged 62. The news has sent shockwaves through the sporting community, with tributes pouring in from fans, teammates and fellow players alike.
Smith, affectionately known as "The Judge", had a distinguished career that spanned over two decades. He made his debut for England in 1988 and went on to play 62 Tests and 71 one-day internationals, making him a stalwart of the national team during a period marked by great challenge. His impressive record against pace bowling was particularly noteworthy, as he consistently stood up to some of the quickest bowlers in the world.
A prolific run-scorer, Smith averaged 43.67 in Tests and scored nine centuries, including a memorable unbeaten 167 from 163 balls against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993. His record at Hampshire County Cricket Club is also exemplary, with the team winning several trophies under his leadership.
Smith's passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from those who knew him and admired his on-field prowess. Former teammate Kevan James described him as "one of the greatest, if not the greatest" players to have played for Hampshire, while chief executive Rod Bransgrove hailed Smith as one of the greatest heroes in Hampshire Cricket Club's history.
The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also paid tribute to Smith, describing him as a player who stood toe-to-toe with some of the quickest bowlers in the world. His struggles with alcoholism and depression since his retirement from cricket have been well-documented, but his family has urged people not to second-guess the cause of his death.
As news of Smith's passing spread, tributes poured in on social media, with fans and fellow players sharing memories of their time with him. The England Lions squad also met up with Smith just two weeks ago, as he offered advice and shared stories from his own career.
Smith is survived by his family, including sons Harrison and Margaux, and brother Christopher. His passing has sent a shockwave through the cricketing world, but his legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched during his playing days.
The cricketing world is mourning the loss of former England international Robin Smith, who passed away on Monday, December 1st, aged 62. The news has sent shockwaves through the sporting community, with tributes pouring in from fans, teammates and fellow players alike.
Smith, affectionately known as "The Judge", had a distinguished career that spanned over two decades. He made his debut for England in 1988 and went on to play 62 Tests and 71 one-day internationals, making him a stalwart of the national team during a period marked by great challenge. His impressive record against pace bowling was particularly noteworthy, as he consistently stood up to some of the quickest bowlers in the world.
A prolific run-scorer, Smith averaged 43.67 in Tests and scored nine centuries, including a memorable unbeaten 167 from 163 balls against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993. His record at Hampshire County Cricket Club is also exemplary, with the team winning several trophies under his leadership.
Smith's passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from those who knew him and admired his on-field prowess. Former teammate Kevan James described him as "one of the greatest, if not the greatest" players to have played for Hampshire, while chief executive Rod Bransgrove hailed Smith as one of the greatest heroes in Hampshire Cricket Club's history.
The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also paid tribute to Smith, describing him as a player who stood toe-to-toe with some of the quickest bowlers in the world. His struggles with alcoholism and depression since his retirement from cricket have been well-documented, but his family has urged people not to second-guess the cause of his death.
As news of Smith's passing spread, tributes poured in on social media, with fans and fellow players sharing memories of their time with him. The England Lions squad also met up with Smith just two weeks ago, as he offered advice and shared stories from his own career.
Smith is survived by his family, including sons Harrison and Margaux, and brother Christopher. His passing has sent a shockwave through the cricketing world, but his legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched during his playing days.
man this guy lived 62 years & left such an impact on ppl's lives its crazy how short life can be especially when we r still so young & just starting out 
cricket world is really gonna miss him, but at the same time hes got a legacy that'll live on thru his family & fans who adored him 
it's funny how some people r more than just their achievements, like robin smith wasnt just 'the judge' of cricket but also someone who struggled w/ demons & shared his story w/ us 
. And let's be real, if we can't take care of our cricketers, who will?
I'm really gonna miss seeing him play cricket again... 62 is way too young to go 
. Robin Smith was like a legend on the pitch, and his story off the pitch was super inspiring despite struggling with depression and addiction. He was one of those guys who could be super humble and down-to-earth but also had this amazing competitive streak that made him stand out. I think it's awesome how his family is being so supportive and not shaming him for his struggles, because let's face it we all have our demons 
. Anyway, he'll be deeply missed by fans and fellow players alike 
.
he had this air about him, like he was unstoppable on the field 
so many great stories from that guy, i'm gonna miss seeing him out there, but his legacy is in our hearts now 
just heard about robin smith i'm totally devastated 
he was like my hero growing up i used to watch him play and try to imitate his shots 
even though he struggled with demons off the field i always admired how brave he was on the pitch 
it's crazy that he passed away at 62 so young 
also, why no mention of any suspicious circumstances or weird behavior leading up to his death? feels like they're hiding something from us...
.
. The ECB's tribute is spot on too - this guy was a true champion. Rest in peace, Robin Smith 
what if it was all just a facade? He might've been hiding some serious demons behind those sweet cricketing skills. Wait, no, maybe I'm being too harsh? Maybe his family knows more than they're letting on?
. His career was all about standing up to adversity & coming out on top, just like how life can be tough sometimes. But instead of giving in, he kept pushing forward with his passion & perseverance 
. So let's take a page out of Robin Smith's book & remember that it's okay to stumble, but it's not okay to give up 
and it's hard not to think about what could've been if we had all been around back then 
his legacy lives on thru his family & the countless fans he touched 
. As a huge cricket fan, I remember watching him play and being in awe of his skills on the field 
. It's heartbreaking that his struggles with alcoholism and depression took such a toll on him 
. What I do know is that Smith was an amazing player who left an indelible mark on the game 
.
But, yeah, we all know what happened after cricket – his personal struggles 