Name:

Smith, Robin Arnold

Nickname:

Judge

Date of Birth:

13 Sep 1963

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Durban, Natal, South Africa

Date Died:

01 Dec 2025

Career:

Test: 1988 - 1996
ODI: 1988 - 1996

Teams:

Hampshire (Regional)
England (Country)

1989: Alderman, Taylor, Waugh shine as Border regains Ashes

Robin Smith: Fearless against extreme pace bowling

Robin Arnold Smith, born on 13 September 1963 in Durban, South Africa, is a former England international renowned for his bravery and technical quality against the world’s fastest bowlers. After moving to England and qualifying through ancestry, he made his Test debut in 1988 and quickly became a fixture in the side. Strong in temperament and classic in style, he was widely admired for his willingness to take on short-pitched bowling at a time when West Indies, Australia, and Pakistan all possessed fearsome pace attacks.

During a career spanning 62 Tests and 71 ODIs, Smith amassed 4,236 Test runs at an average above 43, including nine centuries, and added 2,419 ODI runs. His signature strokes — the square cut, back-foot punch, and the pull — defined his presence at the crease, where he combined grit with counter-attacking flair. One of his most celebrated innings was the unbeaten 167 in the 1993 Ashes at Old Trafford, a display of sheer resolve and technique that cemented his status as one of England’s finest middle-order batsmen of the 1990s.

Nicknamed “Judge” for his distinctive hair and commanding demeanour, Smith was also a popular figure in county cricket with Hampshire, where he played for nearly two decades. His commitment, courage, and consistency earned deep respect from teammates and opponents alike.

Smith passed away on 1 Dec 2025 at his home in Perth.