Former England cricketer Robin Smith dies aged 62
Published 02/12/2025 at 11:40 GMT
Robin Smith, former England cricketer and renowned batter, has died at the age of 62. Smith played 62 Tests and 71 one-day internationals for England during his career after moving from South Africa in 1983. As well as impressing for England, Smith spent his entire county career at Hampshire, scoring 18,984 runs and becoming a legend of the club.
ROBIN SMITH OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB LINES UP DURING A CLUB PHOTOCALL BEFORE THE START OF THE 1994 SEASON.
Image credit: Getty Images
Former England cricketer Robin Smith has died at the age of 62, his family have announced.
Between 1988 and 1996, Smith played 62 Test matches and 71 one-day internationals for England.
In the Test arena, the renowned batter scored 4,236 runs at an average of 43.67. His haul included 28 fifties and nine centuries, with a top score of 175 against West Indies in 1994.
During his one-day international career for England, Smith averaged 39.01 and was part of the squad that made it to the final of the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
He also held an England record for 23 years with his top score of 167 not out against Australia in 1993, although it was eventually beaten when Alex Hales scored 171 against Pakistan in 2016.
Smith, who was born in Durban, South Africa, moved to England to play for Hampshire in 1983 and spent his entire career there.
He retired 17 years later at the age of 40 as a Hampshire great, having scored 18,984 runs for the county.
Smith, who earned the nickname ‘The Judge’ during his career, made his England debut in 1988 against West Indies and impressed against the feared pace attack, an attribute he would become renowned for.
"It is with the deepest and most profound sense of sadness and loss that we must announce the passing of Robin Arnold Smith, beloved father of Harrison and Margaux and cherished brother of Christopher," a statement from the Smith family read.
"Robin died unexpectedly at his South Perth apartment on Monday, December 1. The cause of his death is at present unknown."
Smith met with the England Lions squad and spoke for more than an hour ahead of the tour match at Lilac Hill in the lead-up to the first Ashes Test.
ECB Chair Richard Thompson has paid tribute to Smith following his passing, saying: "Robin Smith was a player who stood toe to toe with some of the quickest bowlers in the world, meeting spells of hostile fast bowling with a defiant smile and an incredible resilience.
"He did so in a way that gave England fans enormous pride, and no shortage of entertainment.
"He was a batter ahead of his time, which was typified in that unforgettable unbeaten 167 from 163 balls in an ODI against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993.
"His record at Hampshire is exemplary, and he’ll be remembered rightly as a great of Hampshire CCC.
"We’re desperately sad to learn of his passing, and the thoughts of all of us in cricket are with his friends, family and loved ones."
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