England rocked by death of Ashes legend after addressing touring team in Perth

The cricket world is in mourning following the sudden death of former England legend Robin Smith, who had addressed Ben Stokes’ touring squad in Perth recently.

He was 62. The cause of his death has not been made public.

“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,” his family said in a statement.

“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.”

Everyone at the England & Wales Cricket Board is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Robin Smith.

An England and Hampshire legend.

Rest in peace, Judge

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 2, 2025

The South African-born batter was found dead in his apartment in South Perth on Monday.

England & Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson said Smith was a giant of the game.

“Robin Smith was a player who stood toe to toe with some of the quickest bowlers around, meeting spells of hostile fast bowling with a defiant smile and a ferocious shot. He did so in a way that gave England fans enormous pride, and no shortage of entertainment.

“He was a batter ahead of his time which was typified in that unfor­gettable unbeaten 167 from 163 balls in an ODI against Australia at ­Edgbaston in 1993.”

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Smith was born in Durban on September 13, 1963 and after moving to England, made his Test debut against the West Indies in 1986.

A fearless batter who was known for taking on fast bowlers with thunderous cuts and drives, he established himself as a reliable middle-order run-getter during a time of great instability in the England team.

He scored nine centuries and 28 half-centuries in making 4236 runs in 62 Tests at an average of 43.67 with a highest score of 175 against the Windies in Antigua in 1994.

Smith was also a mainstay of the ODI side, playing 71 matches, tallying 2419 runs at 39.01, including a masterful 167 not out against Australia in Birmingham in 1993.

Despite having the best average of any player in the team, he was dropped by England selectors in 1996 and played out his first-class career at Hampshire before retiring in 2003.

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