Robin Smith, one of England’s best batsmen of the 1980s and 1990s, has died in Australia aged 62, his close friend and former teammate Kevan James revealed on Tuesday morning.
England cricket legend Robin Smith has died aged 62. The batsman, who played 62 Tests for his country, passed away overnight in Australia having traveled Down Under for the Ashes.
The news was tearfully revealed by Smith’s close friend and former Hampshire teammate Kevan James speaking to BBC Radio Solent on Tuesday morning.
Smith has had health problems, bravely opening up on his battles with alcohol and depression. His cause of death is, as yet, unknown.
He attended the first Ashes Test in Perth last week, catching up with former England teammates Graham Gooch, David Gower, and Allan Lamb.
R&B star Anita Pointer of The Pointer Sisters dies aged 74
A stylish and courageous right-handed bat, Smith, nicknamed ‘The Judge’, made his Test debut for England against the West Indies in 1988 despite being born in South Africa. He scored two centuries in the following summer’s Ashes.
Smith’s highest Test score of 175 came in England’s reply to Brian Lara’s then record-breaking innings of 375 in Antigua. He would end his Test career with 4,236 runs at an average of 43.67, including nine centuries.
He also played 71 one-day internationals for his country and was part of the England side that reached the World Cup final in 1992. His 167 not out against Australia in 1993 was the highest ODI score by an England player until Alex Hales’ 171 against Pakistan in 2016.
But he struggled with alcoholism and depression following his retirement. Doctors had previously told his loved ones he might only have two days to live as he was hospitalized for four months.
Smith suffered relapses, including after the death of his father just a few months ago.
In an interview with The Times just last week, Smith said: "I thought I had fully recovered. Then having seen dad in the state he was, and living on my own, I got back into my… well, you know, once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.
“You always battle to keep away from it. It’s not difficult to go back on the alcohol. After that week where I started drinking again, I saw the professor who had spoken to my family about me not necessarily making it.
“I told him I’d let myself down. He said, ‘If you’ve been drinking again, you must be a cat with nine lives. Because many other people wouldn’t have survived this.’ I’m on my last warning, I know.”
Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight
Smith had previously admitted to the Daily Mail: "I speak a little bit now publicly about mental health. And I was very, very close twice, within minutes, of finishing my life.
“I wish I’d spoken to my friends. I didn’t want to burden them with my problems, but I should have reached out to them. Anyone who thinks they might be a burden on their friends, they’re absolutely not. You’ve just got to be open and be yourself.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
