Remembering The 'Judge', Who Has Died Aged 62.

During the period preceding the high-octane Twenty20 era, arguably nobody hit the leather with more raw power as Robin Smith. Built with the physique of a fighter yet blessed with the agile movement of his ballet dancer mother, he produced shots – notably his ferocious square cut – with such immense force they could dent in boundary hoardings and shattered the morale of opponents.

The cricketer's death comes after a lengthy battle with poor health, was a man of profound contradictions. To the public eye, he was the epitome of a brave, front-foot player, famed for memorable contests with fearsome quicks. However, beneath this show of machismo existed a man constantly questioning his own worth, a struggle he kept hidden during his playing days only to later fuelled battles with addiction and mental health issues.

Raw Courage and a Thirst for Adrenaline

His bravery versus fast bowling was unquestionably genuine. But the driving force, involved a combination of pure grit and a self-confessed need for the rush. Many felt he was built differently, seeking out the masochistic test of facing extreme pace, which calls for instant responses and an ability to absorb blows.

This was perfectly illustrated in his famous unbeaten 148 playing for England facing the Caribbean pace attack at the Home of Cricket in 1991. In challenging conditions, against the rampant Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall, Smith stood firm but thrived, his eyes reportedly sparkling the physical duel of intimidation and strokeplay. In retrospect, he said the experience as leaving him “tingling”.

An Impressive England Tenure

Featuring mostly at number five or six, Smith played for England in 62 Test matches plus 71 limited-overs games during an eight-year international span. He amassed over four thousand Test runs with a mean of 43.67, which contained nine three-figure scores. In the one-day arena, he compiled 2,419 runs averaging nearing forty.

Perhaps his most ferocious knock occurred in 1993 in Birmingham facing the Aussies, where he smashed a brutal 167 runs. The display was so impressive that even the then commendations from the country's leader. Yet, in a cruel twist, England could not secure victory the game.

The Moniker and a Troubled Soul

Dubbed ‘Judge’ after a wig-like haircut reminiscent of a court wig, his mean in Test cricket was notably impressive, not least because he played in a losing era. It is widely felt his international career was ended prematurely by the panel after a difficult tour to South Africa in 1995-96.

As he later confessed, he was two people: ‘the Judge’, the ruthless on-field warrior who thrived on battle, and the man himself, a vulnerable person. The two identities suppressed the other.

His fierce loyalty sometimes caused him problems. In a notable incident involved him standing up for teammate Malcolm Marshall from racist abuse at a team hotel. Following unsuccessful appeals, he floored the primary abuser, an act that broke his own hand and cost him a significant layoff.

The Difficult Transition

Moving on from the game outside the dressing room was immensely challenging. The adrenaline rush was substituted for the routine demands of running companies. Businesses involving and a wine bar ultimately faltered. Coupled with a strained relationship and financial woes, he fell victim to heavy drinking and deep depression.

A move to Australia accompanied by his brother Chris offered a fresh start but couldn't resolve his underlying issues. In a moment of deep crisis, he thought about taking his own life, and was only saved from the brink by the support of family and a neighbour.

His family includes his partner, Karin, his two children, and brother Chris.