Former England cricket batter Robin Smith dies at 62, family shares emotional statement

Robin Smith, the former England cricket star, has died at the age of 62. His family said he passed away on December 1 at his home in South Perth. The news came as a big shock to the cricket world. Smith played 62 Test matches for England from 1988 to 1996 and scored 4,236 Test runs with nine hundreds.

Robin Smith’s Cricket Life and Hampshire Bond

Robin Smith was born in Durban, South Africa, in 1963. He moved to England in 1983 to join Hampshire. Over the next 17 seasons, he scored almost 19,000 first-class runs for the county. Hampshire said he was “the most influential player in the history of Hampshire cricket.” 

Let’s pause here. Robin Smith was loved by fans because he batted with so much courage. He first played for England against the West Indies. That team had some of the fastest bowlers ever, Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, and Courtney Walsh. Even then, Smith stood tall and played with a brave face.

His close friendship with Allan Lamb also began early. In his first Test, they made a 100-run stand together. That stand started a bond that lasted their whole lives.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of legendary batter Robin Smith.

Known as ‘The Judge’, Smith played over 600 times for Hampshire and scored over 30,000 runs for the club in a career that spanned more than 20 years.

Our thoughts are with his family and… pic.twitter.com/eEB715R3pr

— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) December 2, 2025

Family Statement and Tributes From Cricket Leaders

Smith’s family shared a long and emotional note. They said it was a very hard time for them. They also said the cause of death is not known yet, and they asked everyone to respect their privacy. They called him a “beloved father” and “a brave and dashing batsman.” 

They also asked people not to guess anything about his passing. They said his past struggles with alcohol and mental health should not lead to wrong ideas. Doctors will confirm the real cause after the postmortem.

Just two weeks before he died, Smith spent time with the England Lions team during their match at Lilac Hill in Perth. He talked to the young players about how it feels to move into international cricket and shared fun stories from his long career.

ECB Chair Richard Thompson also shared a warm message. He said Smith always faced fast bowlers with a smile and strong heart. Thompson remembered Smith’s famous 167 not out against Australia in 1993 at Edgbaston. He said Smith gave fans pride and joy and will always be a Hampshire great.