Former England batter Robin Smith dies aged 62

Former England batter Robin Smith has died at the age of 62, English county side Hampshire announced on Tuesday.

The South African-born Smith, who played 62 Tests between 1988 and 1996, died unexpectedly on Monday in Australia, where he lived, his family said.

“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,” Smith’s family said in a statement released by Hampshire Cricket.

“Robin died unexpectedly at his South Perth apartment on Monday, 1st December. The cause of his death is at present unknown.”

Smith, nicknamed the “Judge”, had recently met with the England Lions squad, England’s second-tier side, in Perth ahead of the first Ashes Test at the invitation of coach Andrew Flintoff.

“Robin rose to fame as one of England’s most charismatic and popular players,” Smith’s family said.

“A brave and dashing batsman, he excelled both for Hampshire and his adopted country, collecting legions of admirers and friends along the way.

“Since his retirement from the game in 2004, his battles with alcohol and mental health have been well documented, but these should not form the basis of speculation about the cause of death, which will be determined at postmortem investigation.”

Robin Smith scored 4,236 Test runs for England, including nine centuries, at an average of 43.67. He scored 2,419 runs at 39.01 in 71 one-day internationals.